Chapter 6

Waves

Concept Map
Waves
 Chapter 6
Waves

What is waves ? How do waves transfer energy?

Process of transferring energy from When energy is transferred by a wave

one location to another which is from a vibrating source to a distant
produced by an oscillating or receiver, there is no transfer of matter
vibrating motion. between the two points.

Example
Example
• Sound
by vibrating mechanical bodies
such as a guitar strings or a
tuning fork
• Light
result of vibrations of electrons in When the string is shaken up and down, a
an atom disturbance moves along the length of the
• Water string. It is the disturbance that moves
by a disturbance on a still water along the length of the string, not parts of
surface the string itself.
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CHAPTER 5: WAVES
5.1 Fundamentals of Wave

How are waves  Produced by oscillating or vibrating

system produced?
IMPORTANT !!

Waves ONLY transfer energy and does not

transfer matter

Describe the  Waves are classified according to the propagation of wave profile
types of waves Progressive waves Stationary waves

 Waves can also be categorized into:

Mechanical waves
 Requires medium to propagate
 Due to vibration of particles
Examples:
Water, sound, seismic waves
Electromagnetic waves
 Do not need medium to propagate
 Due to oscillation of electric and
magnetic fields perpendicular
to one another
Examples:
Radio, light and gamma rays

Compare the Progressive waves can be divided into two :

different types  Transverse wave
of progressive
 Longitudinal wave
waves

PHYSICS CHAPTER 5: PREPARED BY: MAVIN

WAVE YAP
What is Transverse Wave ?

A wave in which the vibration of particles in the medium is at right angle to the direction of
propagation of the wave.

The motion of the particles medium (spring) is at right angles to the direction in
which the wave travels.

Example

1. Water waves
2. Light waves

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What is Longitudinal Wave ?
A longitudinal wave is a wave which the vibration of particles in the medium is along
(parallel to) the direction of propagation of the wave.

The particles of the medium (spring) move along the direction of the wave. The wave that
travels along the spring consists of a series of compression and rarefaction.

Example
1. Sounds waves

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Lines joining all the points of the same phase
are called wavefronts.
wavefront

The wavefronts of both transverse wave

and longitudinal wave are perpendicular to
the direction of propagation of the waves.

Wavefront

2. Circular wavefronts
1. Plane wavefronts

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 Amplitude (a)
Vibration/Oscillation The maximum displacement from its
The movement from one extreme position equilibrium position.
to the other and back to the same position Amplitude relates to loudness in
sound and brightness in light.
SI unit: meter, m

Describing Waves

Wavelength (λ)
The distance between two adjacent points of
the same phase on a wave.
λ

λ
The distance between two The distance between two successive
successive crests or two compressions or two successive
successive troughs rarefactions in a sound wave.
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Period (T) Frequency, f
The time taken for an oscillation to complete one The number of waves produced in
cycle. one second.
SI unit is second (s). SI unit is Hertz (Hz)

Describing Waves

Relationship
Wave Speed (v)
The relationship between speed,
The speed of a wave is the
wavelength and frequency
measurement of how fast a crest is
moving from a fixed point.
SI unit is ms-1. v =f λ
Displacement-distance graph Displacement-time graph

Displacement Displacement
Amplitude Amplitude

Distance Time

λ Period
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5.2 Damping and Resonance
Graph

Damping is the decrease in the

amplitude of an oscillating system
when its energy is drained out as
heat energy.
The amplitude of an oscillating
system will gradually decrease and
become zero when the oscillation
stops.

 To enable an oscillating system to go on

Causes continuously, an external force must be
1. External damping of the system is applied to the system.
the loss of energy to overcome
 The external force supplies energy to the
frictional forces or air resistance.
system. Such a motion is called a _________
2. Internal damping is the loss of ________________.
energy due to the extension and
 The frequency of a system which oscillates
compression of the molecules in the
system. freely without the action of an external force is
called the .

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Resonance

Resonance occurs when a system is made to oscillate

at a frequency equivalent to its natural frequency by
Experiment in
Barton’s pendulum ?
How does resonance occur in
an external force. The resonating system oscillates at
its maximum amplitude. the two pendulum of equal
length?
Good Effects
1. The tuner in a radio or television enables us to
select the programmes we are interested. The
circuit in the tuner is adjusted until resonance is
achieved, at the frequency transmitted by a
particular station selected. Hence a strong
electrical signal is produced.

2. The loudness of music produced by musical

instruments such as the trumpet and flute is the
result of resonance in the air.

Bad Effects
1. A bridge can collapse
when the amplitude of
its vibration increases
as a result of
resonance.
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5.3 Reflection of waves
 Occurs when a wave strikes an obstacle.
 The wave undergoes a change in direction of
propagation when it is reflected.
 The value of frequency (f), wavelength (λ)
and speed (v) remain the same after
reflection.

Law of Reflection:

The angle of incidence, i is equal to

the angle of reflection, r.
 

Incident wave : Complete the diagrams to show reflection of water

the wave before it strikes the waves.
obstacle
Reflected wave:
the wave which has undergone a
change in direction of
propagation after reflection.
i = angle of incident – the angle
between the direction of propagation
of incident wave and the normal
r = angle of reflection – the angle
between the direction of propagation
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5.4 Refraction of waves
A change in its direction as the waves pass
from one medium to another. It occurs when
there is a difference in the speed of the wave
at the boundary of two mediums.
After refraction, the wave has the same
frequency, but a different speed,
wavelength and direction of
propagation.

The relationship between v and λ

of a water wave in deep and
shallow water:  

v=fλ f is constant

Water passing from the Water passing from the

v is directly
deep region to the shallow shallow region to the deep
proportional to λ   region, the water wave is region, the water wave is
refracted toward the refracted away from the
normal. normal.
=k
Water waves
Water waves passes
passes from deep
Characteristics from shallow water
v1 v2 water to shallow
v1 > v2 to deep water
water
λ1 λ2 λ1 > λ2
Speed Decrease increase
Wavelength Decrease Increase
Frequency unchanged unchanged

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Exercise 6.1

1. A plane wave has a wavelength of 2 cm 2. The diagram shows a plane water wave
and a velocity of 8 cm s-1 as it moves over moving from one area P to another area
the surface of shallow water. When the Q of different depth.
plane wave moves into an area of greater
depth, its velocity becomes 12 cm s-1.
What is
a) the wavelength
b) the frequency of the wave in the area
of greater depth?
If the speed of water wave in P is
18 cms-1, what is the speed of water
wave in Q?

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Draw a ray diagram to show refraction of waves.

1) 4)

2)

5)

3)

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 Diffraction Of Waves Diffraction of Light
A phenomenon in which waves spread out as Light is diffracted if it passes through a narrow
they pass through a gap or round a small slit comparable in size to its wavelength.
obstacle.
Light is diffracted if it
Characteristics of diffracted waves passes through a
1. Frequency, wavelength and speed of waves narrow slit
do not change. comparable in size to
2. Changes in the direction of propagation and its wavelength.
the pattern of the waves. However, the effect is
3. The amplitude of the diffraction wave not obvious as the
decreases so its energy decrease. size of the slit
increases. This is
Factors that influence the effect of diffraction because the
wavelengths of light
The effect of diffraction is obvious if: are very short.
1. the size of the gap or obstacle is small enough
2. the wavelength is large enough.

The effect of diffraction is obvious if the shape Diffraction of Sound

of the diffracted waves more spread out or Sound diffracting
more circular. around corners
so allowing us to
hear others who
We can hear the sound of a radio placed are speaking to
nearby a corner of a wall but we cannot see us from adjacent
the radio. Why? rooms.
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 Pattern of diffracted waves Observation
(a) Wide gap
Procedure
1. A ripple tank is filled with water and set up as shown.
The waves are
2. Switch on the power pack. bend only at the
3. Use a barrier to block the incident straight water edges after
waves. Observe the wave pattern beyond the barrier. passing through
4. Send a straight water waves to pass through a gap. the gap. The effect
Observe the pattern of diffracted waves beyond the of diffraction is not
gap. obvious
5. Send straight water waves towards a small gap. (b) Narrow gap
Observe the wave pattern beyond the small gap.
The waves are
circular and
appear to
originated from the
small gap. The
effect of diffraction
is obvious
(c) Narrow obstacle
Straight water
wave propagate
towards an
*** obstacle.
As the size of the gap or obstacle is smaller, the
effect of diffraction becomes obvious.
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Diffraction of Light

bright bands and dark

bands of different width.

Screen

Light alternate
spreads bright and
out behind dark ring
the slit
Light spread after
passing the pin
hole
0.1mm
wide slit

Laser beam Laser beam

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 Diffraction of Sound

1. The street cleaner can hear the sound of the radio

even though it is behind an obstacle.
2. The sound of the radio spreads around the corner of
the wall due to diffraction of sound wave.

Piccolo
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Interference of Waves

A phenomenon in which two waves superpose to form a resultant wave of

greater or lower amplitude.

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 Principle of superposition of Waves Constructive Interference
When two waves interfered, the resulting Superposition of two crests
displacement is the sum of the displacements
of the individual waves.

superposition of two
waves originating from
Constructive Interference
two coherent sources.
Superposition of two troughs
INTERFERENCE
OF WAVES
coherent sources
The waves from coherent
sources have the same
frequency (f), same wavelength
and constant phase difference
Destructive Interference
How does interference occur? Superposition of a crest and a trough

 Wave interference occurs when two waves meet

while propagating along the same medium.
 When the two waves are superposed, interference
will occur either constructive interference or
destructive interference.

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 INTERFERENCE OF WAVES

Destructive interference Constructive Interference

Occurs when crest of one wave coincide Occurs when the crests or troughs of both
with the trough of the other wave, thus waves coincide to produce a wave with crests
canceling each other with the result that the and troughs of maximum amplitude.
resultant amplitude is zero.

Antinode
A point where constructive interference occurs.

Node
A point where destructive interference occurs.

Keys :
• Maximum crest wave (2 crests meet)
× Zero amplitude (trough meets crest)
о Maximum trough wave (2 troughs meet)
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Young’s Formula
The relationship between λ, a, x and D
Factors affecting the interference
pattern
The interference pattern depend on the
value of x. When x changes, the
interference pattern also changes .

a = distance between two coherent sources

λ = wavelength
x = distance between two consecutive node
(or antinode) lines
D = distance from the two sources to the
point of measurement of x
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 Occurs when an incident light wave
Interference of Lights passes through a double slit.
An interference pattern is produced as a
result of the superposition of two
emerging light waves from the double
slit.

Young’s double-slit experiment

 Use monochromatic light (light which has
one colour and one wavelength)
 The double slit must be very narrow (about
0.5 mm) to produce a clear interference
Interference pattern because the wavelength of light is
pattern very small.
 When light from monochromatic source
passes through a double slit, two sources of
a = Distance between the two
coherent light are produced.
slits on the double slit
plate  The interference pattern consists of alternate
D =Distance between the bright and dark fringes that can be seen on a
double-slit plate and the distant screen.
screen  Bright fringes: constructive interference.
λ = The wavelength of light  Dark fringes: destructive interference.
(depends on its color.)
x = Distance between two
consecutive bright fringes
or dark fringes. 35
Exercise 6.2
1. In the interference of two coherent sources of
waves, the separation between two spherical
dippers is 3 cm and the distance between
two consecutive node lines is 4 cm
measured at a distance of 15 cm from the
two coherent sources of waves. Calculate
the wavelength of the water waves
originating from the sources.
2. In a Young’s double slit experiment, the
distance between the double slit and the
screen is 4.0 m and the separation of the
two slits is 0.5 mm. Calculate the distance
between two consecutive bright fringes for
violet light with a wavelength of 4.0 x 10 -7 m.
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3. The wavelength of light can be determined
with a double-slit plate.
The diagram shows the pattern of
interference fringes obtained in a Young’s
double-slit experiment. The separation of
distance of the two slits is 0.25 mm and the
distance between the screen and the
double slit plate is 3.0 m.
Calculate the wavelength of light used in
the experiment.
4. In an experiment on the interference of
waves, two loudspeakers are placed at a
distance of 1.5 m from each other. They
are connected to an audio signal generator
to produce coherent sound waves at a
frequency of 0.5 kHz. Calculate
(a) the wavelength of the sound wave if
the speed of sound is 300 ms-1
(b) the distance between two consecutive
soft sounds at a perpendicular
distance of 5 m from the source of the
sound.
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 Electro- Magnetic Waves
It is produced when electric and magnetic field vibrate at right angle to each other. The direction
of propagation of the wave is perpendicular to both fields .

Visible Light
Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see. Light can be seen as the
colours of rainbow.
• Each colour has a different wavelength.
• Red has the longest wavelength and violet the shortest.
• When all the waves are seen together, they make white light.
• When white light shines through a prism, the white light is broken apart into the seven colours
of the visible light spectrum.
• Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

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6.7 ANALYSING ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

low frequency high frequency

high wavelength low wavelength

• The members of the electromagnetic spectrum arranged in increasing frequencies and

decreasing wavelengths are radio waves, microwaves, infrared rays, visible light,
ultraviolet rays, X – rays and gamma rays.
• Radio waves have the longest wavelength but are of low frequency waves. They carry very
little energy.
• Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength but are of high frequency waves. They carry
very high energy.

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 Properties Of Electro-magnetic Waves
• They transfer energy from one point to another.
• They are transverse waves.
• They can travel through vacuum.
• They travel at the same speed through vacuum (speed of light , c = 3 x 10 8 ms-1)
• They all show wave properties such as reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference.
• They obey the wave equation, v = fλ.

Applications Of Electro-magnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Sources Applications

wave
Gamma Rays Radioactive • Engineering – to detect leakages in
substances underground pipes
• Medicine – cancer treatment
• Food sterilisation
• Medicine
X- rays x-ray tube  X-ray photograph of the internal organs
of the body, e.g to locate bone fracture.
 Cancer treatment
• Engineering – to detect cracks in metal
• Checking of luggage at airports

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Applications Of Electro-magnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Sources Applications

wave
Ultraviolet rays The sun, mercury • Cause sunburn
vapour lamp. • Stimulates the formation of vitamin D
needed for assimilation of calcium and the
prevention of rickets.
• Detect fake notes
• Fluorescent lamp
• Sterilization of surgical tools and plant
seedlings.

Visible light Flames, lamps, • Visual communication

the sun • Photography
• Photosynthesis
Infrared radiation Hot objects such as • A sensation of warmth is felt when IR falls
flames, the human on the skin.
body, the sun • Thermal imaging and physiotherapy
• Infrared binoculars for night time vision. IR
radiation emitted by a living thing can be
detected.
• Remote control for TV / VCR

44
Applications Of Electro-magnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Sources Applications

wave
Microwaves Radar transmitter • Communication system with satellites
Microwaves oven • Used in radar system
• Cooking
• Cellular (mobile) phone service
Radio waves Electrons oscillating in • For broadcasting and wireless
aerials communication
Radio/ television • UHF (ultra high frequency) radio waves
– television and hand phones
• VHF (very high frequency) radio wave –
local radio FM and wireless
communication used by the police

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 Detrimental effects of excessive exposure to certain components of the electromagnetic
spectrum

Radio waves No evidence of hazard

Microwaves 1. Internal heating of body tissues when they enter our body.
2. Long exposure to mobile phones can cause brain tumor and
inner ear complications in children.
Infrared 1. Skin burns
Visible light No evidence of hazard
Ultraviolet 1. Damage to the surface cells (including skin cancer) and
blindness
X-rays 1. Damage to cells.
2. Cancer, mutation
Gamma rays
3. The mutated cells may result in the abnormal growth of
cancer cells.
4. Pregnant mothers who are exposed to X-rays and radiations
too frequently may cause abnormalities in new born babies.

46
Exercise 6.4
Paper 2 Section B

As an engineer, you asked to set up a public address system for a concert hall. Using relevant
physics concepts, suggest and explain the design and modification that can be made to
produce a loud and clear sound.
i. The suitability of the interior design to reduce the effects of echoes.
ii. The arrangement of the speakers.

Suggested Answer :

Design / Modification Explanation

High-powered speakers are used
The speakers are not installed against each
other
The speakers are installed at a far distance
from each other
The glass used must not be fragile
The sitting area is arranged in the antinode
region
Carpet is used for floor and wall covering
To produce clear and loud sound
To prevent multiple reflections
The area of the antinode region is bigger
Sound with high frequency may break and glass
Louder sound can be heard by the audience
To reduce the reflection of sound

47
Paper 2 Section C
Diagram 10.1 shows a tuning fork vibrating near a microphone. The sound waves
detected by the microphone are displayed on a cathode-ray oscilloscope.
When the tuning fork is struck harder, the sound produced is louder and the sound waves
produced are as shown in Diagram 10.2.

48
 (a)(i) What is the meaning of longitudinal waves? [1
mark]
(ii) Explain how a tuning fork produces sound waves. [4 marks]

(b) Using Diagram 10.1 and Diagram 10.2,

(i) Compare the amplitudes of vibration of the tuning forks.
(ii) Compare the peak values, a1 and a2, of the waves displayed by the oscilloscope.
(iii) Relate the peak values displayed by the oscilloscope to the amplitude of the sound
wave.
(iv) Relate the peak value to the loudness of the sound produced.
(v) Hence, deduce the relationship between the loudness of the sound and the amplitude of
the wave. [5 marks]

(c) Diagram 10.3 shows a boat using sound waves to measure the depth of the sea.
(i) Using your knowledge of the nature and phenomena of waves, explain how the
following aspects of the wave affects the results obtained.
• Frequency of the waves
• Energy of the waves [4
marks]
(ii) List the equipment needed for the measurement. [4 marks]
(iii) Explain how the depth of the sea is determined. [2 marks]

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50
Suggested Answer

51
Suggested Answer

20
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