Book 3B

Unit 4.3
Graphical descriptions
of transverse waves
Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Let’s begin
Seismographs

Graphical description of wave motion

Checkpoint 6

Graphical description of particle vibration

Checkpoint 7

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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Let’s begin Seismographs

A seismograph produces graphs which show the
vibration of the ground during earthquake at
different times.

What information about the waves can be obtained

from these graphs? Answer
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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of wave motion

Consider a wave on a long spring travelling from
left to right.

Particles at different positions have different

displacements from their equilibrium positions.
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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of wave motion

To indicate the positions of the particles:

1 Measure the horizontal distances (d) of the
particles from the reference particle A.

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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of wave motion

+
2 Record the displacements (s) of the particles.
Particles A B C D E F G H I J K
d / cm 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
s / cm 20 14 0 –14 –20 –14 0 14 20 14 0

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of wave motion

Plot a displacement–distance graph (s–d graph)
with a smooth curve.
 A and  of the wave can be obtained.

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of wave motion

s–d graph:
 Shows the displacements of different particles
on a wave at a particular instant
 Changes continuously with time

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Checkpoint 6
1 The waveform of a wave at a certain instant is
shown. Sketch the s–d graph of this section of
wave at this instant.

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Checkpoint 6
2 The s–d graph of a wave at a certain instant is
shown.

(a) Find A and .

A = 10 cm
 = 8 cm
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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Checkpoint 6
2 The s–d graph of a wave at a certain instant is
shown.

(b) Sketch its s–d graph after half a period.

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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of particle vibration

The particles on a wave vibrate continuously.
 Displacements from equilibrium position keep
changing with time.

Consider a vibrating particle.

At time t = 0, the particle is

at equilibrium position.

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of particle vibration

Plot a displacement–time graph (s–t graph) with a
smooth curve.
 It shows the displacements of this particular
particle at different instants.
+

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of particle vibration

Plot a displacement–time graph (s–t graph) with a
smooth curve.
 A and T of particle vibration can be obtained.

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Graphical description of particle vibration

Refer to Let’s begin .
A seismograph produces s–t graphs.
∴ A and T of the earthquake waves can be deduced.

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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Example 5 Drawing displacement–time graph

A transverse wave (f = 5 Hz) travels to the left. Its

waveform at time t = 0 is shown.
Sketch the s–t graph of particle P at t = 0–0.4 s.

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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Example 5 Drawing displacement–time graph

f = 5 Hz waveform at time t = 0:
Sketch the s–t graph of particle P
at t = 0–0.4 s.

1 1
T = = = 0.2 s
f 5
∴ P makes 2 complete vibrations in 0.4 s.
Wave travels to the left.
 P is moving downwards
at t = 0.

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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Example 5 Drawing displacement–time graph

f = 5 Hz waveform at time t = 0:
Sketch the s–t graph of particle P
at t = 0–0.4 s.
Two complete vibrations in 0.4 s
P at equilibrium position and
moving downwards at t = 0
∴ The required s–t graph is:

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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Example 6 Getting the s–d graph from the s–t graph

A transverse wave ( = 0.6 m) is generated by a

vibrator along a string. The s–t graph of particle P at
0.9 m away from the vibrator is shown.

(a) Amplitude A = ? A = 0.2 m

(b) At t = 0.8 s, s = ? s = 0
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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Example 6 Getting the s–d graph from the s–t graph

 = 0.6 m
The s–t graph of particle P at 0.9 m
away from the vibrator is shown.

(c) Hence, sketch the s–d graph from the vibrator

to P at t = 0.8 s.
 Given:  = 0.6 m
 From (b), the s–d graph passes through (0.9 m, 0 m).
 From the graph, at t = 0.8 s, displacement of P 
 A trough is approaching P from the left.

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Example 6 Getting the s–d graph from the s–t graph

(c) Hence, sketch the s–d graph from the vibrator to

P at t = 0.8 s.
  = 0.6 m
 The s–d graph passes through (0.9 m, 0 m).
 A trough is approaching P from the left.
The graph is:

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Transverse wave on a string

P is a particle on the string. At time t = 0, the vibrator

starts to vibrate vertically at T = 0.4 s. A transverse
wave is produced and travels at 1.5 m s–1.

(a) When does P start to vibrate?

Time for the wave to reach P
distance 1.5
= = 1.5 = 1 s
speed
P starts to move at t = 1 s.
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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Transverse wave on a string

P is a particle on the string. At time t = 0, the vibrator

starts to vibrate vertically at T = 0.4 s. A transverse
wave is produced and travels at 1.5 m s–1.

(b) Sketch the s–t graph of P at t = 0–2 s.

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Transverse wave on a string

P is a particle on the string. At time t = 0, the vibrator

starts to vibrate vertically at T = 0.4 s. A transverse
wave is produced and travels at 1.5 m s–1.

(c) Is P moving upwards, moving downwards or

momentarily at rest at t = 2 s? s will increase in
the next moment.
Moving upwards

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 Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Transverse wave on a string

P is a particle on the string. At time t = 0, the vibrator

starts to vibrate vertically at T = 0.4 s. A transverse
wave is produced and travels at 1.5 m s–1.

(d)  = ?
 = distance travelled in one period
= wave speed  period
= 1.5  0.4
= 0.6 m
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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Transverse wave on a string

P is a particle on the string. At time t = 0, the vibrator

starts to vibrate vertically at T = 0.4 s. A transverse
wave is produced and travels at 1.5 m s–1.

(e) Sketch the waveform between P and the

vibrator at t = 2 s. Label P and the vibrator.
  = 0.6 m
 Displacement of P = 0
 P moving upwards
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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Checkpoint 7
1 Particle P is on a transverse wave with T = 0.2 s
and A = 4 cm. At time t = 0, P is at the highest
position. Sketch the s–t graph of P at t = 0–0.3 s.

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Book 3B Unit 4.3 Graphical descriptions of transverse waves

Checkpoint 7
2 The s–t graph of a particle on a wave is shown.

(a) Find amplitude A and period T. A = 3 m

T=1s
1 1
(b) Frequency f = ? f = = = 1 Hz
T 1
- The End -
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