WAVES I
Specific objectives
By the end of this topic the leaner should be able to:
a) Describe the formation of pulses and waves
b) Describe transverse and longitudinal waves
c) Define amplitude (a), wavelength (λ), frequency (f), and periodic time (T)
d) Derive the relation V= fλ
e) Solve numerical problems involving V=fλ
Content
1. Pulses and waves
2. Transverse and longitudinal waves
3. Amplitude (a) , wavelength (λ), frequency (f), periodic time(T)
4. V= fλ
5. Problems involving V= fλ.
Introduction
In this topic basic concepts about waves are studied. Knowledge about waves has been broadly applied in daily life e.g. in radio
and television, mobile phones, remote control system, heat energy radiation etc.
Definition of a wave
A wave refers to the transmission of a disturbance. A wave therefore transmits energy from one point to another.
Classification of Waves
Waves can be broadly classified as electromagnet or mechanical in nature.
1. Electromagnet waves
These are waves which do not require material medium for transmission. Such waves can be propagated in vacuum. Examples
of electromagnetic waves are Radio waves, Radiant heat e.g. from sun, light, Microwaves etc.
NB: Electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature
2. Mechanical waves
These are waves which do require a material medium for transmission. Such waves cannot be propagated in vacuum. Examples of
mechanical waves are water waves, sound waves etc.
Classification of Mechanical Waves
a. Transverse waves
These are waves in which the vibration of particles is at right angle to the direction of wave travel. Examples of transverse
wave are water waves, waves on a rope swung up and down and electromagnetic wave (radio waves ,light waves,microvaves
1|Page
etc). Transverse waves travel as a series of crests and troughs.
A crest is the highest point of a transverse wave while a trough is the lowest point of a transverse wave
Formation of transverse wave can be illustrated by swinging a slinky spring or a rope fixed at one end up and down.
b. Longitudinal waves
These are waves in which the vibration of particles is in a direction parallel to the direction of of the wave travel. Examples of
longitudinal wave are Sound wave, waves on a slinky spring fixed at one end and vibrated to and two etc.
Longtudional waves consists of sections of rarefactions andcompressions. Compressions are sections of high pressure in which
particles are ppushed closer together while rarefactions are sections of low pressure in which particles are pulled slightly
further a part from one another.Pressure variation in a longtudional wave is what causes wave motion.
Formaton of longtudinal wave ca be illustrated by vibrating a slinky spring fixed at one end to and fro along its length.
Examples
Progressive waves
Progressive waves are waves that move continually away from the source.They can be transverse or longitudinal.
If along slinky spring is continually vibrated at one end,the waves move forward,carrying the energy of thhhe vibratttiiions along its
length .Similarly, if astone is dropped onto a water surface,the resulting water waves move outwards,carrying the energy of the
impact away from the source.As the wave moves away from the source,the energy is spread over an increasingly large area. This
causes a gradual decrease in its amlplitud
Q. Explain why the amplitude of a progressive wave decreases gradually from the source.
As the wave move away from the source, the energy is spread over an increasingly large area.
Pulse
2|Page
A pulse is a single disturbance that is transimitted through a medium.
A pulse is generated when a single vibration is sent through a medium.
It can be transverse or longtudional in nature. Generation of a pulse can be illustrated by jerking a rope fixed at one end just
once.
Terms Associated with Waves
Consider the transverse waveform and an oscillating pendulum bobshown below.
1. Oscillation – an oscillation is a complete to and fro motion. For example, in the above oscillating bob, a complete oscillation is
D-E-F-E-D.
2. Amplitude, A - it is the maximum displacement on either side of the mean position. Its SI unit is the metre (m). For an oscillating
pendulum bob above DE or EF is the amplitude.
3. Wavelength, λ – it is the distance between two successive crests or troughs (transverse wave) .
-it is the distance between two successive compressions or rarefactions .(longitudinal wave)
It is denoted by Greek letter lambda, λ. Its SI unit is the meter (m).
Note: Particles in a wave are said to be in phase if they are oscillating in same direction and at the same level of displacement.
Particles A and D, B and E are in phase. C and D are out of phase by 1800
3|Page
4. Period, T- it’s the time taken by a particle to complete one oscillation. SI unit of period is the second(s )
5. Frequency, f– it is the number of complete oscillations (full wavelengths) made by a particle in one second. SI unit of frequency
is hertz (Hz).
Relationship between Frequency and Period
I
Frequency is the reciprocal of period i.e. f=
T
6. Speed of the wave -It is the distance covered by a wave in one second.
The Wave Equation
The wave equation relates Speed, V, Wavelength, λ and Frequency, f of a Wave
distance
Generally, speed=
time
For a distance of wavelength covered by a wave, time taken is equivalent to the period of the wave.
wavelength
∴ speed =
period
λ I
V = =λ ×
T T
I
But , f = ∧thereforeV =λf
T
This is called the wave speed equation
4|Page
From the wave equation, if speed of the wave is constant, frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength. This can be
presented graphically as shown below.
Example
The figure below shows a displacement-time graph of a wave travelling at 2500cms -1
Determine for the wave:
a) Amplitude
Sln A=maximum displacement ¿ mean position
¿ 3 cm∨0.03 m∈SI units
b) Periodic time
Solution
T =(9−1)x 10-3 s
¿ 8 x 10 -3 s
c) Frequency
Solution
5|Page
I 1
f= = Hz
T 8 X 10−3
−3
¿ 0.125 ×10 Hz=125 Hz
d) Wavelength
Solution
V =fλ
−1
V 250 ms
λ= = −1
=2 m
f 125 s .
6|Page
