General Wave Properties –

Part 1
Disciplinary Idea:

Waves can transfer energy without

transferring matter.
Macro-concept: Models

• Enduring Understandings:
 concepts, models and theories are often used in interpreting and
explaining observations of waves and in predicting future
observations.
 understanding the behaviour of waves may lead to the
development of new technologies, and new technologies may
lead to or facilitate scientific discoveries.
At the end of Part 1, you will be able to:
 describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes
and springs and by waves in a ripple tank
 show understanding that waves transfer energy without transferring matter
 compare transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples of
each
 define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and
amplitude including graphical representation.
 deduce from the definitions of speed, frequency and wavelength, the
equation v = f λ
 recall and apply the relationship velocity = frequency × wavelength to new
situations or to solve related problems
Modelling waves
 Modelling waves

HAND WAVING KALLANG WAVE

people jumping up and sitting back down
Modelling waves

Dropping a stone into

a still pond
Moving a Rope Up and Down
 Modelling waves

Compare (similarities) and Contrast

(differences) these types of waves
Similarities Differences

 Oscillating or vibrational
- Oscillating or vibrational movement
 Amplitude, frequency,
- Amplitude, frequency, wave speed
movement wave speed are different
are different

 Energy is transferred from  Direction

- Energy is transferred from one point
to another of wave
- Direction of wave travel istravel
different is

one point to another different

Modelling waves
• Waves are often used to explain physical phenomena, such
as light and sound.
• We need to understand sinusoidal waves in order to
understand complex water waves.
 Modelling waves

By adding simple sinusoidal waves,

complex waves can be constructed.
(Ref: Physics Matters, Page 188, Figure 11.2)
An example in which simple waves are
added to generate a complex wave
occurs in a synthesiser.
Sound waves can be added in chosen
proportions to create a new sound or
combined to cancel each other out,
such as in noise-cancelling
headphones.
Examples of
waves
What is a wave?
A wave is a phenomenon in which energy is transferred through
vibrations.
A wave carries energy away from a source.

waves of a rope

pHet simulaton - https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/wave-on-a-string

Generating waves

The effect of rope waves can be seen by fixing

one end of a rope by tying it around a rod and
moving the other end up and down.
Generating waves
Each section of the rope is set into an up-and-down
motion by the previous section as the wave passes
along the rope.
 Generating waves
The rope is the
medium
through which the
wave propagates.

crests
A series of
and troughs can be
seen to pass along the
rope.

particles in the rope itself do

Note that
not move forward with the wave.
Generating waves
Waves on a Spring
A spring with a fixed end can be stretched on the floor.
Besides moving the free end up and down like the wave on a rope, we
can push and pull the free end of the spring rapidly, to create the
waves shown below
Generating waves

Similar effect for water waves, where water is the medium through
which energy transmits
 a cork on the water surface bobs up and down as the wave
passes.
 the cork does not travel forward with the wave.
 Generating waves
Water Waves
Waves can be produced in water by dipping either a

horizontal bar up-and-down up-and-down ball-ended

into the water motion of bar motion of dipper dipper to
to obtain plane obtain circular
waves waves

plane waves circular waves

To generate waves continuously, a motor can be fixed to the bar or dipper to

facilitate the vibration.
Ripple tank

The behaviour of water waves generated by a dipper can be

studied using a ripple tank.
Ripple tank
 The bright and dark lines correspond to the crests and troughs of the plane waves
respectively.
 The imaginary line that joins all adjacent points on the wave that are in phase, such
as the crests, is called a wavefront .
 From the examples of waves on a rope, spring and in a ripple tank, we can observe
that the motion of any selected point in a wave is periodic and repetitive. This
motion is known as a vibration or oscillation.

Dark and bright

lines are formed
on a screen by the
plane waves.

A lamp is shone at a shallow glass-

bottomed tray of a ripple tank.
Check
Point

Which of the following is NOT an example of a wave motion?

A a spring pushed backwards and forwards
B a fixed rope moving up and down at one end.
C a weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely
D a water ripple caused by a dipper moving up and down
Types of Waves
 Defining transverse waves
Transverse waves travel in a direction perpendicular
to the direction of the vibrations.

coil vibrates direction of wave

up and down
when shook up
and down wave moves this way

direction of the
vibrations one wavelength

Examples of transverse waves:

Water waves, rope waves, electromagnetic waves (e.g. visible
light)
Defining longitudinal waves
Longitudinal waves travel in a direction parallel to the
direction of the vibrations.

coil vibrates forward direction of wave

and direction
backward when
of the
pushed in and out
vibrations
wave moves this way

c r c r c r

one wavelength

compression is the part where rarefaction is the part where

particles are closest to one another particles are spread apart

Example of longitudinal waves: Sound waves

Terms to describe waves
Terms to describe waves:
Crests and troughs:
• highest and lowest points of a
transverse wave, respectively.
For longitudinal waves, the terms
compressions and rarefactions
are used.

Phase:
any two points moving in the same direction and have the same speed and the
same displacement from the rest position are said to be in phase. Any two crests or
troughs are always in phase.
 Terms to describe waves:
Wavelength (λ):
• shortest distance between
any two points in a wave
that are in phase, such as
two successive crests or
troughs. Its SI unit is the
metre (m).

Amplitude (A):
maximum displacement from the rest or centre position. Its SI unit is the
metre (m).
 Terms to describe waves:
• Frequency, f (in Hz): Frequency
is the number of complete
waves generated per second. It
is also the number of crests or
troughs that pass a point per
second.

 Period, T (in s):

Period is the time taken to generate one complete wave. It is also the time
taken for any given point on the wave to move a distance of one
wavelength.
 Frequency and period are related by:

Speed, v (in m s-1): Speed of the

waves is the distance moved by a
wave in one second.
Check
Point

The wavelength of a wave is/are

A the distance from the start of a wave to end of a wave

B the distance from a crest to another crest
C the distance from a crest to a trough
D the distance between successive troughs
E the distance between successive crests
Check
Point

It takes 0.50 s to generate one complete wavelength in a

ripple tank. The wavelength of each wave produced in 6.0 cm.
What is the speed of the wave?
A 0.083 cm s-1
B 0.12 cm s-1
C 3.0 cm s-1
D 12 cm s-1
Summary
1. Crest: ___________ point of wave
2. Trough: ___________ point of wave
3. Wavelength: Length of _____ complete cycle
4. Speed: Distance travelled by wave per ______ time
5. Amplitude: __________________ displacement of wave
6. Displacement: Distance of particle from __________ position
7. Frequency: Number of __________ per unit time
8. Period: _________ taken for 1 complete cycle
9. __________ is an imaginary line on a wave that joins all
adjacent points that are in phase.
Summary (Physics Matters Page 193, Figure 11.13)
To be continued…