Travelling Waves

Waves

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 Wave Pulse
A wave pulse is when a single pulse moves
through a medium from one location to
another.

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Wave Pulse - Fixed End
When a wave pulse travels towards a fixed
end, it is reflected and inverted.

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 Continuous Wave
A continuous wave is a series of periodic
pulses. Each point on the wave has the
same amplitude.

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 Time Period, T(s)
The time period, T, of
a wave is the time
taken to complete
one wave.

The smaller the time

period, the closer
together the waves
appear

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 Frequency, f(Hz)
The frequency, f(Hz),
is the number of
complete waves to
pass a point per
second.

The larger the

frequency, the
closer together the
waves appear

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The Reciprocal Relationship
Frequency, f(Hz), refers
to how often something
happens.

Time Period, T(s), refers

to the time it takes
something to happen.

They have a reciprocal relationship.

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 The Wave Equation
Speed = Distance
Time
• The distance travelled by one complete wave is λ (m)
• The time taken for one complete wave to pass is T (s)

v=λ
T
Substitute the reciprocal relationship:

The Wave Equation

v = fλ
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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope
An
oscilloscope
displays an
electronic
trace of a
wave.
• The Time/Div is on the horizontal scale
and helps determine the time period.
• The Volts/Div is on the vertical scale and
is an indication of amplitude of the wave.

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 Intensity
The Intensity, I, of a wave is defined as the power per unit area. It
has units of Wm-2

The amplitude of a wave varies in a sinusoidal manner with time

whereas the intensity of the wave varies as sine squared.
I 𝛼 A2
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