Topic List

Prof. Dr. Maqsood Ahmad

Preston University
Islamabad Campus
E-mail:maqomer1@yahoo.com
 Topic List

TYPES OF WAVES 5. Wave speed

1.Longitudinal Waves Phenomenon occurring due to

waves
2. Transverse Waves
1. Reflection
3. Surface Waves
2. Refraction
PARAMETERS OF WAVE Superposition Principle
1. Frequency Interference
2. Wavelength Diffraction
3. Period Standing Waves & Resonance
4. Amplitude
 Types of Waves
A mechanical wave is just a disturbance that propagate through a
medium. The medium could be air, water, a spring, the Earth, or
even people. A medium is any material through which a wave
travels. Mechanical wave examples: sound; water waves; a pulse
traveling on a spring; earthquakes
An electromagnetic wave is simply light of a visible or
invisible wavelength. Oscillating intertwined electric and
magnetic fields comprise light. Light can travel without
medium—fast.
A matter wave is a term used to describe particles like
electrons that display wavelike properties. It is an
important concept in quantum mechanics.
A gravity wave is a ripple in the “fabric of space time”
itself. They are predicted by Einstein’s theory of relativity,
but they are very difficult to detect.
 Mechanical Waves: Three Types
Mechanical waves require a physical medium. The particles in
the medium can move in two different ways: either
perpendicular or parallel to direction of the wave itself.
In a longitudinal wave, the particles in the medium move
parallel to the direction of the wave.
In a transverse wave, the particles in the medium move
perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
A surface wave is often a combination of the two. Particles
typically move in circular or elliptical paths at the surface of a
medium. Longitudinal  Parallel
Transverse  Perpendicular
Surface  Combined effect of
Longitudinal and Transverse waves
 Wave Characteristics
Amplitude (A) – Maximum displacement of particle of the medium from
its equilibrium point. The bigger the amplitude, the more energy the
wave carries.
Wavelength () – Distance from crest (max positive displacement) to
crest; same as distance from trough (max negative displacement) to
trough.
Period (T) – Time it takes consecutive crests (or troughs) to pass a given
point, i.e., the time required for one full cycle of the wave to pass by.
Period is the reciprocal of frequency: T = 1 / f.
Frequency (f ) – The number of cycles passing by in a given time. The SI
unit for frequency is the Hertz (Hz), which is one cycle per second.
Wave speed (v) – How fast the wave is moving (the disturbance itself, not
how fast the individual particles are moving, which constantly varies).
Speed depends on the medium. We’ll prove that v =  f.
 Interference
Like force vectors, waves can work together or opposition. Sometimes
they can even do some of both at the same time. Superposition applies
even when the waves are not identical.

Interference Animation
Constructive interference occurs at a point when two waves
have displacements in the same direction. The amplitude of the
combo wave is larger either individual wave.
Destructive interference occurs at a point when two waves have
displacements in opposite directions. The amplitude of the combo
wave is smaller than that of the wave biggest wave.
Superposition can involve both constructive and destructive
interference at the same time (but at different points in the medium).

Wave Interference
 Constructive & Destructive Interference

Constructive Interference
Waves are “in phase.” By super-
position, red + blue = green. If red and
blue each have amplitude A, then
green has amplitude 2A.
Destructive Interference
Waves are “out of phase.” By
superposition, red and blue
completely cancel each other out, if
their amplitudes and frequencies are
the same.