Waves and Oscillations

 Wave:
The periodic disturbance that advances through a material medium transfer energy from
one place to another but does not displace the particle to the medium permanently is known as
wave.

 Wave Motions:

Wave motions are two types. These are (1) Mechanical wave.
(2) Electromagnetic wave.

 Mechanical wave: This sort of wave motion is possible only in media (solid, liquid or
gas) which possess inertia as well as elasticity .Water waves and sound waves one
examples of this type of wave motion.

Mechanical wave is two types (a) Transverse wave

(b) Longitudinal wave

(a) Transverse wave: In this type of wave’s particles oscillate about their equilibrium position
at eight angles, along to the direction of propagation of the wave motion itself.

(b) Longitudinal wave: In this type of waves, particles oscillate to and far about their
equilibrium position along the direction of propagation of the wave motion itself.

 Electromagnetic wave:- No material medium is necessary for the propagation of this

sort of wave motion light and radio waves belong to this category
  Simple Harmonic motion and its differential equation:
Answer:-

When a force is acting on a particle, if the acceleration of the particle is proportional to the
displacement from its equilibrium point but in opposite direction and the displacement of the
particle remain same both side of the equilibrium point, then the particle is called to execute
simple harmonic motion.

 Characteristics of SHM:-
(1) The motion is linear.
(2) The motion is periodic.
(3) It is oscillatory.
(4) a∞–y ∴ a = -ky
(5) The acceleration is always directed towards the equilibrium position.
(6) Simple harmonic motion can be expressed as sing or co-sine function.

 Differential Equation of SHM :

Consider a particle executing on a SHM and F force exerted on it. The displacement of the
particle from the equilibrium position is y.
So, F∞ -y

O r, F = - ky [k is constant]
or, ma = -ky [F=ma]
2
𝑑 𝑦
or, m𝑑𝑡2 +ky = 0

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑘
or, 𝑑𝑡2
+ 𝑚 𝑦 =0

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑘
or, + 𝜔2 𝑦 =0 [𝜔= √ ]
𝑑𝑡2 𝑚

This is the required differential equation of simple harmonic motion.

Find the solution of SHM and show that this solution is valid for differential
equation of SHM.

Solution of SHM:

We have, the differential equation of SHM

𝑑2 𝑦
+ 𝜔2 𝑦 =0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)
𝑑𝑡2

𝑑𝑦
Multiplying this equation with 2 𝑑𝑡 , we get

𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
2 𝑑𝑡 . + 𝜔2 𝑦. 2 =0
𝑑𝑡2 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Or, 2 𝑑𝑡 = - 𝜔2 𝑦. 2 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡2

Integrating this equation with respect to time, we get

𝑑2 𝑦
2y = - 𝜔2 𝑦. 2y
𝑑𝑡2

𝑑𝑦 2
( ) = -𝜔2 𝑦 2 +c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑦
Where, c = integral constant, when velocity, =0; y = a
𝑑𝑡

So, 0 = - 𝜔2 𝑎2 +c

∴C=𝜔2 𝑎2

Now putting the value of c in equation (2), we get

𝑑𝑦 2
( 𝑑𝑡 ) =𝜔2 𝑎2 − 𝜔2 𝑦 2

𝑑𝑦
Or, = 𝜔√𝑎2 − 𝑦 2
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑦
Or, = 𝜔𝑑𝑡 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
√𝑎2 −𝑦2

Again, integrating this equation, we get

 sin−1 ( 𝑦⁄𝑎 ) =𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿 ; 𝛿= constant of integration

𝑦⁄ = sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
𝑎
y = a sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)

This is the solution of the differential equation of SHM, where Phase =𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿.

2nd part:-

We have, Solution of SHM is

y = a sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
𝑑𝑦
Or, = a𝜔cos (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑2 𝑦
Or, = - a𝜔2 sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
𝑑𝑡2

𝑑2 𝑦
Or, = −𝜔2 y
𝑑𝑡2

Putting this value in the L.H.S of equation (1)

𝑑2 𝑦
+ 𝜔2 𝑦 = −𝜔2 𝑦 + 𝜔2 𝑦
𝑑𝑡2

=0

= R.H.S
∴ L.H.S = R.H.S

So, we can say y =a sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿) is the solution of SHM.

Average Kinetic Energy of a vibrating /Oscillating Particle:

Ans:-
The displacement of a vibrating particle is given by
y = a sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
 𝑑𝑦
∴ Velocity, V = = a𝜔cos (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
𝑑𝑡

If m is the mass of the vibrating particle, the K.E at any instant

1 1
K.E = 𝑚𝑣 2 = 𝑚𝑎2 𝜔2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
2 2

The average kinetic energy (K.E) of the particle in one complete vibration is,

1 𝑇1
=𝑇 ∫0 𝑚𝑎2 𝜔2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)𝑑𝑡
2

1 𝑚𝑎2 𝜔2 𝑇
= .
𝑇 4
∫0 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)𝑑𝑡

𝑚𝑎2 𝜔2 𝑇
=
4
∫0 [1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)]𝑑𝑡

𝑚𝑎2 𝜔2 𝑇 𝑇
= [∫0 𝑑𝑡 + ∫0 𝑐𝑜𝑠2(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)𝑑𝑡]
4𝑇

𝑇
But, ∫0 𝑐𝑜𝑠2(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)𝑑𝑡 =0

𝑚𝑎2 𝜔2 𝑚𝑎2 𝜔2
∴ Average K.E = .T+0=
4𝑇 4

𝑚𝑎2 (4𝜋2 𝑛2 )
= = 𝑚𝑎2 𝜋 2 𝑛2
4

So, the average K.E of a vibrating particle is directly proportional to the square of the
amplitude

 Total Energy of a Vibrating Particle:

Ans:-

We have, y = a sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿) . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . (1)

𝑦
Or, sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿) = ⁄𝑎

𝑦2
Or, 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿) = √1 − ⁄𝑎2

𝑎2 −𝑦2
Or, 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿) = √ 𝑎2
 √𝑎2 −𝑦2
Or, 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿) =
a
𝑑𝑦
∴V= = a𝜔(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
𝑑𝑡

√𝑎2 −𝑦2
Or, V = a𝜔 . = 𝜔√(𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 )
a

So, the K.E of the particle at any instant is

1 1
K.E = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 = 2 𝑚𝜔2 (𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 )

Now, potential energy of the vibrating particle is the amount of work done in overcoming
the force through a distance y.

Acceleration = -𝜔2 𝑦
Force = ma =−𝑚𝜔2 𝑦

𝑦 𝑦
∴ P.E =∫0 𝑚. 𝜔2 𝑦𝑑𝑦 = 𝑚𝜔2 ∫0 𝑦𝑑𝑦
𝑦2 1
= 𝑚𝜔2 =2 𝑚𝜔2 𝑦 2
2

Now, the total energy of the particle is,

𝐸𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = K.E + P.E

1 1
= 2 𝑚𝜔2 (𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 ) + 2 𝑚𝜔2 𝑦 2
1
= 2 𝑚𝜔2 (𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 + 𝑦 2 )
1
= 𝑚𝜔2 𝑎2
2
1
= 2 𝑚(2𝜋𝑛)2 𝑎2 [𝜔 = 2𝜋𝑛]

= 2𝑎2 𝑛2 𝜋 2 𝑚

So, the total energy of a vibrating particle is proportional to the square of the
amplitude.
Maximum velocity and acceleration of a particle executing simple harmonic
motion:
Ans:-The displacement of particle executing simple harmonic motion is given by

y = a sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)

(i) Hence the velocity of the particle at any instant of time t is

𝑑𝑦
= a𝜔 cos(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑)
𝑑𝑡

= ±a𝜔√1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)

𝑦
Now sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑) = 𝑎

𝑑𝑦 𝑦2
∴ = ±a𝜔√1 −
𝑑𝑡 𝑎2

𝑎2 −𝑦2
=±a𝜔√
𝑎2

√𝑎2 −𝑦2
= ±a𝜔 a

= ±𝜔√(𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 )
𝑑𝑦 𝐾
= ±√𝑚 √(𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 ) . . . . . . . . . . . (1)
𝑑𝑡

It can be seen that maximum value of velocity

𝐾
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 = ± a𝜔 or±𝑎√𝑚 and occurs when y = 0.

i.e, when the particle is passing through its mean position.

(ii) The acceleration of the particle at any time t is given by
𝑑2 𝑦
= −𝜔2 𝑎sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿)
𝑑𝑡2
𝑦
= −𝜔2 𝑎 𝑎

= −𝜔2 𝑦
2 𝑘
𝑑 𝑦
∴ = - .y
𝑑𝑡2 𝑚
The maximum value of acceleration occurs when y is maximum.

PROBLEM : - (1)

For a particle vibrating simple harmonically, the displacement is 12 cm at the instant the
velocity is 5 cm/s and when the displacement is 5 cm at the instance velocity is 12 cm/s.
Calculate (i) Amplitude (ii) Frequency and (iii) Time period.

Solution:-

The velocity of a particle executing SHM is

𝑑𝑦
V= =𝜔√𝑎2 − 𝑦 2
𝑑𝑡

In the first case,𝑉1 = 𝜔√𝑎2 − 𝑦1 2

Here, 𝑉1 = 5 𝑐𝑚/𝑠 and𝑦1 = 12 𝑐𝑚

∴ 5 = 𝜔√𝑎2 − 144 . . . . . . . . . . . (1)

In the second case,𝑉2 = 𝜔√𝑎2 − 𝑦2 2

Here, 𝑉2 = 12 𝑐𝑚/𝑠 and 𝑦2 = 5 𝑐𝑚

∴ 12 = 𝜔√𝑎2 − 25 . . . . . . . . . . . (2)

Dividing (1) by (2) and squaring,

144 𝑎2 − 25
= 2
25 𝑎 − 144

∴ 𝒂 = 𝟏𝟑 𝒄𝒎
The amplitude is 13 𝑐𝑚.

Substituting the value of 𝑎 = 13 𝑐𝑚in equation (1)

∴ 5 = 𝜔√(13)2 − 144

Or, 5 = 𝜔√ 169 − 144

Or, 5 = 𝜔√ 25

ω=1 rad/s
 𝜔 1 1
The frequency, 𝑛 = = 𝐻𝑧 , Time period, 𝑇 = = 2𝜋seconds.
2𝜋 2𝜋 𝑛

 PROBLEM :- (2)
The equation of a progressive wave is given by 𝒚 = 𝟏𝟎 𝐬𝐢𝐧 (𝟎. 𝟓𝒙 − 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝒕),Where x
and y are in cm and t is in second. Calculate the amplitude, wave length, velocity and

frequency of the wave. Also calculate the maximum velocity of a particle of the medium.

Solution:-
Given that𝑦 = 10sin(0.5𝑥 − 200𝑡)

Or, 𝑦 = −10 sin (200𝑡 − 0.5𝑥 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (𝑖)

We know the displacement equation is

𝑦 = asin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛿) . . . . . . . . . . . . (𝑖𝑖)Comparing equation (i) and (ii) we get,

a = -10
∴The amplitude = 10cm 𝜔 = 200

Or, 𝜔 = 200 = 2𝜋𝑛

200 100
Or, 𝑛 = = Hz
2𝜋 𝜋

From equation (i)

𝑦 = −10 sin (0.5)(400𝑡 − 𝑥 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (𝑖𝑖𝑖)
2𝜋
And we have, 𝑦 = 𝑎 sin (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (𝑖𝑣)
𝜆

Comparing equation (iii) and (𝑖𝑣)we get

400𝑐𝑚
𝑣=
𝑠
2𝜋
And = 0.5
𝜆

Or, λ = 4𝜋𝑐𝑚
∴ 𝜆 = 12.56𝑐𝑚
𝑑𝑦
Maximum velocity, = 𝑎𝜔
𝑑𝑡
 = 10× 200 = 2000𝑐𝑚/𝑠

So, Amplitude, a = 10cm

Wave length, 𝜆 = 12.56𝑐𝑚

Velocity, V = 400cm/s

Frequency, 𝑛 = 33𝐻𝑧

𝑑𝑦
Maximum velocity, = 2000𝑐𝑚/𝑠
𝑑𝑡

 Exercise: A body is vibrating with simple harmonic motion of amplitude 15cm and
frequency 4 Hz. Compute (a) the maximum values of the acceleration and velocity
and (b) the acceleration and velocity when the displacement is 9cm.

𝑴𝒙
Time period of Oscillation of a loaded spring is T =2𝝅√ :
𝒎𝒈
Ans:-
Consider a spring S whose upper end is fixed to a rigid support and the lower end is attached to a
mass M. In the equilibrium position, the mass is at A. When the mass is displaced downwards
and left, it oscillates simple harmonically in the vertical direction.
Suppose at any instant the mass is at B. The distance AB=y. Let the tension per unit
displacement of the spring be k

So, force exerted by the spring = - k y

𝑑2 𝑦
Force = 𝑀
𝑑𝑡2

𝑑2 𝑦
∴𝑀 = −ky
𝑑𝑡2

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑘
Or, + 𝑀 𝑦 =0 . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . (1)
𝑑𝑡2 Figure :

This equation is similar to the equation of simple harmonic motion.

𝑑2 𝑦
We have, + 𝜔2 𝑦 = 0 . . . . . . . . . . . (2)
𝑑𝑡2

Comparing equation (1) and (2) we get,

 𝑘
𝜔2 = −
𝑀

𝐾
∴ 𝜔 =√𝑀

2𝜋 𝑀
Time period, T = 𝜔 =2𝜋√𝐾 . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)

To determine the value of tension per unit displacement of the spring, a small mass m is attached
to the free end of the spring. The increase in length of the spring is noted. Let it be x
𝑚𝑔
∴𝐾= 𝑥

Substituting the value of K in equation (3)

𝑴𝒙
∴ T = 2𝝅√ (Showed)
𝒎𝒈

PROBLEM : -

A spring is hung vertically and loaded with a mass of 100gm and allowed to oscillate.
Calculate (i) the time period (ii) the frequency of oscillation and (ii) Amplitude. When the
spring is loaded with 200gm it extends by 10cm.For a displacement of 0.03m it is given
adown wards velocity 0.4m/s.
Solution: -

We know, Here,
Mass of Soring, M = 100gm
𝑀𝑥
(𝑖 ) Time period, 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √ Mass of Load, m = 200gm
𝑚𝑔

100×10
Gravitational Acceleration, g =
Or, 𝑇 = 2𝜋√200 ×980 980cm/s

Or, 𝑇 = 0.449 𝑠𝑒𝑐(Ans) Extension, x = 10 cm

Displacement, y = 0.03 m
1 1 Velocity , v = 0.04 m/s
(i) Frequency, 𝑛 = = 0.449
𝑇
Time period, T = ?
Frequency, n = ?
∴ 𝑛 = 2.22𝐻𝑧
Amplitude , a = ?
 2𝜋 2𝜋
Angular frequency, 𝜔 = =
𝑇 0.449

∴ 𝜔 = 13.99 = 14 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠𝑒𝑐

(ii) Amplitude, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡

Or, 𝑉 = 𝑎𝜔𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜔𝑡

Or, 𝑉 = 𝜔√𝑎2 − 𝑦 2

Or, 0.4 = 14√𝑎2 − (0.03)2

∴ 𝑎 = 0.05𝑚 ( 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟)

 Exercise : - A body of mass 0.5kg suspended from a spring of a negligible mass and
it stretches the spring by 0.07m. For a displacement of 0.03m it is given adown
wards velocity 0.4m/s. Calculate the (i) time period (ii) frequency (ii) amplitude of
vibration of the spring.

 Lissajous Figure :

When a particle is influenced simultaneously by two simple harmonic motions at right angles
to each other, the resultant motion of the particle traces a curve. These curves are called
lissajous figures. The shape difference and the amplitude of the two constituent vibrations.

Lissajous figure are helpful in determining the ratio of the time periods of two vibrations and
to compare the frequencies of two tuning forks.

Damped harmonic oscillation/ Motion:

In actual practice a simple harmonic oscillator almost always vibrates in a resisting

medium, like air, oil, etc. Consequently when the oscillator vibrates in such a medium, energy is
dissipated in each vibration in overcoming the opposing frictional or viscous forces. But in the
presence of these forces, the amplitude of vibration decreases continuously with time and finally
the oscillations die out. Such vibrations are called free damped vibrations.
Forced vibration
When a body oscillates in a damped medium its amplitude falls exponentially with time to zero. If
we applied an external periodic force constantly, the body finally settles down to oscillate with the
frequency of applied force and constant amplitude and phase. Such vibrations of the body are
called forced Vibrations.

Resonance:
When a body is made to vibrate by the application external periodic force, and if the time
period of frequency of the applied force is different from the time period of the body then the body
will vibrate with very small amplitude and the vibration does not last long. But if the time period
or frequencies of the both become equal the amplitude of the vibration and its duration becomes
large. Vibration of this type is called resonance.

Group velocity:
The group velocity of a wave is the velocity with which the overall shape of the waves'
amplitudes—known as the modulation or envelope of the wave propagates through space.

For example, if a stone is thrown into the middle of a very still pond, a circular pattern of waves
with a quiescent center appears in the water. The expanding ring of waves is the wave group,
within which one can discern individual wavelets of differing wavelengths traveling at different
speeds. The longer waves travel faster than the group as a whole, but their amplitudes diminish
as they approach the leading edge. The shorter waves travel more slowly, and their amplitudes
diminish as they emerge from the trailing boundary of the group.

The group velocity vg is defined by the equation,

where ω is the wave's angular frequency (usually expressed in radians per second), and k is
the angular wavenumber (usually expressed in radians per meter).
Phase (or wave) velocity:
The compressions and rarefactions of longitudinal wave or crest and trough of transverse wave
advances through a medium with a constant velocity. In other words, advance of phase through a
medium takes place with same velocity. This velocity of advance is known as phase velocity.
The phase velocity is: Vp = ω / k.

Phase velocity (Vp ) is equal to 𝝎/k Or 𝝀/T :

The equation of a plane progressive wave, travelling in a medium along the direction of positive x-axis, is
2𝜋
given by, y = a sin (vt –x) ……………. (i)
𝜆
where, v is referred to as the wave velocity and is equal to 𝜆/T.
2𝜋𝑣𝑡 2𝜋
Rearranging, eqn. (i) can be written in the form, y = a sin ( - )
𝜆 𝜆

y = a sin (2πnt - k x) …………… (ii)

since v/ 𝜆 = n is the frequency of the wave and 2𝜋/𝜆 = k is the propagation constant of the wave.
y = a sin (𝜔t – k x) ………. (iii) [since ω = 2πn ]

Now (wt – kx) in eqn. (iii) is the constant phase of the wave which travels along the positive direction of
dx
the x-axis and the phase velocity of the wave should given by
dt

d
Since (𝜔t - kx) is a constant quantity, we have (𝜔t - kx) = 0
dt

dx
or, 𝜔 - k =0
dt
dx
or, 𝜔 = k .
dt
dx 𝜔
or, =
dt k
dx 𝜔
Thus the phase velocity of the wave, V p = =
dt k
2𝜋𝑛
But 𝜔/k = = n𝜆 = 𝜆/T
2𝜋/𝜆

Thus, for- a single wave, in any given medium, phase velocity = Vp = 𝜔/k = 𝜆/T.