September 8, 2024
Wave Theory
A wave in physics is a disturbance in a medium that carries energy without a net movement of
particles. It is a propagating (reproducing/ self-replicating) dynamic disturbance of one or more
quantities. It involves the transport of energy without the transport of matter. A wave can be
described as a disturbance that travels through a medium, transporting energy from one location
to another. Examples include water waves, sound waves, light waves, radio waves, and seismic
waves.
Waves are found in one of two kinds, longitudinal and transverse. Transverse waves are like
those on water, with the surface going up and down, and longitudinal waves are like those of
sound, consisting of alternating compressions (regions of high pressure where particles are close
together) and rarefactions (regions of low pressure where particles are spread further apart) in a
medium. The high point of a transverse wave is a called the crest, and the low point is known as
the trough. For longitudinal waves, the compressions and rarefactions are analogous to the crests
and troughs of transverse waves. The distance between successive crests or troughs is called the
wavelength. The height of a wave is the amplitude. How many crests or troughs pass a specific
point in one second is called the frequency (measured in Hertz [Hz]). The velocity of a wave can
be expressed as the wavelength multiplied by the frequency.
Wave Behaviour
Waves display four basic phenomena. In diffraction, waves bend when they pass around small
obstacles and spread out when they pass through small openings. In interference, when two
waves meet, they can interfere constructively, creating a wave with larger amplitude than the
original waves, or destructively, creating a wave with a smaller (or even zero) amplitude.
Reflection: In reflection, a wave encounters an obstacle and is directed back. In the scenario that
a wave collides with an object, it will be redirected to the source at a particular angle of
incidence/ angle of reflection.
Refraction: In refraction, a wave bends when it enters a medium through which it has a different
speed. The speed of a wave depends on the medium it travels through, though in some cases,
waves can travel in a vacuum, and do not need a medium to propagate. For example, it is
common knowledge that light travels faster in air than in water, and gravitational waves are
easily able to traverse the vacuum of space, without being affected by the medium it propagates
through. When a wave enters at an angle a medium through which its speed would be slower,
the wave is bent toward the perpendicular. When a wave enters at an angle a medium in which its
speed would be increased, the opposite effect happens.
Diffraction: When a wave encounters a small obstacle or a small opening (that is, small
compared with the wavelength of the wave), the wave can bend around the obstacle or pass
through the opening and then spread out.
Interference: The waves from two or more centres of disturbance may reinforce each other in
some directions and cancel in others.
Sound Waves
Sound waves are produced by a vibrating object. Everything that makes a sound must have a part
that vibrates. A sound wave is a longitudinal wave. When an object vibrates it produces a
longitudinal wave which travels through air to your ear.
Sent by Copilot:
Pitch and loudness are two key characteristics of sound waves, and they relate to specific wave
parameters.
PPitch is directly related to the frequency of a sound wave. Higher frequency waves produce
higher-pitched sounds, while lower frequency waves produce lower-pitched sounds. For
example, a bird’s chirp has a high pitch due to its high frequency, whereas a lion’s roar has a low
pitch due to its low frequency.
Loudness is related to the amplitude of a sound wave. Larger amplitudes result in louder sounds,
while smaller amplitudes result in softer sounds. For instance, a loud shout has a large amplitude,
whereas a whisper has a small amplitude.
In summary, pitch depends on the frequency of the sound wave, and loudness depends on the
amplitude of the sound wave.
Speed of Sound
The speed of sound varies depending on the medium through which it travels, though in air at
20°C (68°F), the speed of sound is approximately 343 meters per second (m/s), which is about
1,235 kilometers per hour (km/h). The speed of sound is faster in liquids and even faster in
solids. For example, in water, it is about 1,481 m/s, and in iron, it is around 5,120 m/s.
The speed of sound has numerous practical applications across various fields. Here are a few
examples:
Aviation: Pilots and engineers use the speed of sound to understand and manage sonic booms,
which occur when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound (Mach 1). This knowledge is crucial for
designing supersonic jets.
Medical Imaging: Ultrasound technology relies on the speed of sound in tissues to create images
of the inside of the body. This is widely used in prenatal care and diagnostics.
Weather Forecasting: Meteorologists use the speed of sound to measure temperature and wind
speed in the atmosphere. This helps in predicting weather patterns and understanding
atmospheric conditions.
