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What is Wave? 1. A wave is a disturbance or variation that propagates through a medium, often transferring energy. 2. Waves travel and transfer energy (its amplitude) and information (its frequency) from one point to another, with little or no permanent displacement of the particles of the medium.

Must Know: Waves transfer energy without transferring physical matter.

Technical Terms Phase 1. A phase is the current position in the cycle of something that changes cyclically. 2. Two vibrating particles are in the same phase if their displacement and direction of motion are the same. a. b. c. In phase Same phase Out of phase Different phase Anti-phase Phase different = 180o

Wavefront

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1. A wavefront is a line or a surface that connects points that are moving at the same phase and has the same distance from the source of the waves. 2. 3. When a circular wave is formed, a circular wave front is formed. Characteristics of wavefront:

a. wavefronts are always perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. (As shown in the diagram below) b. all the points on a wavefront have same distance from the source of the wave.

Wavelength

The wavelength () is defined as the distance between two successive particles which are at the same phase (exactly the same point in their paths and are moving in the same direction.).

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Types of Waves
Waves can be classified into 2 groups transverse wave longitudinal wave

Transverse Wave

A transverse wave is a wave where the particles of the medium vibrate in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the wave motion. Example: Light wave, ripple, radio wave
Longitudinal Wave

A longitudinal wave is a wave where the particles of the medium vibrate in a direction that is parallel to the direction of the wave motion. Example: Sound Wave
Transverse Wave Crest and Trough

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1. When discussing wave, its important to know what is meant by the crest and trough of a wave. 2. The point at which the displacement of the water from its normal level is highest called the crest of the wave 3. The point at which the displacement of the water from its normal level is lowest called the trough of the wave. Longitudinal Wave Compression and Rarefaction

1. Unlike transverse wave, longitudinal waves have no crest and trough, instead, they have compression and rarefaction. 2. In compression regions of longitudinal waves, wave particles of the medium are packed closer. 3. In rarefaction regions, wave particles of the medium are packed further apart. Finding wavelength from diagram Transverse Wave

Wavelength is the distance between two successive crest or trough.

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Longitudinal Wave

Wavelength is the distance between two successive compression or rarefaction.

Wave front diagram

Wavelength is the distance between two successive wave front

Example 1:

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Figure above shows the propagation of a water wave. What is the amplitude of the wave? Answer: Amplitude=10cm2=5cm

Example 2 :

The figure above shows a transverse wave. The wavelength of the wave is equal to Answer: Amplitude=23x=23x

Example 3:

The figure above shows the simulation of longitudinal wave by using a slinky spring. What is the wavelength of the wave? Answer: 3=15cm=153=5cm

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Example 4:

The figure above shows the simulation of transverse wave by using a slinky spring. What is the wavelength of the wave? Answer: 2=25cm=252=12.5cm

Displacement Distance Graph

1. A Displacement Distance graph shows the position of each particle in a wave relative to its distance from a reference point. 2. The distance between two (2) successive crest or trough is the wavelength. 3. The maximum displacement of the particles from the equilibrium position (displacement = 0) is the amplitude. 4. The amplitude of the wave will increase as the energy transfers by the wave increase and vice versa.

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Comparing Displacement-Time Graph and Displacement- Distance Graph

Displacement-time graph - Graph of oscillation)

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(Displacement-distance graph - Graph of Waves)

1. Both the displacement-time graph and the displacement distance graph looked similar. However they are 2 different types of graph. 2. The displacement-time graph illustrate the displacement of an object over time whereas the displacement-distance graph tell the position of the vibrating particles of a wave. 3. For a displacement- distance graph, the distance between 2 crest/trough represent the period whereas for the displacement-distance graph, it represents the wavelength.

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Phenomena of Waves
Ripple Tank

Q&A What is the function of the Eccentric/Motor? The function of the eccentric /motor is to produce a reciprocating motion. Q&A What is the function of the dipper? 1. 2. 3. To produce waves of different shape Straight parallel waves may be produced by a horizontal wooden bar. Circular waves may be produced by a vertical ball-ended rod.

Q&A What is the function of the sponge beach? The function of the sponge beach is to prevent reflection of the waves. Q&A Explain how the dark and light bands are formed on the screen. 1. The dark and light bands formed on the screen owing to the refraction of light.

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2. As shown in figure above, when the light from the light house passes through the area around the peak of a wave, the light will be converged and form a bright band on the screen. 3. Conversely, when the light from the light house passes through the area around the trough of a wave, the light will be diverged and form a dark band on the screen. Phenomena of Waves 1. There are 4 phenomena of waves: a. Reflection b. Refraction c. Diffraction d. Interference 2. Diffraction and interference are unique phenomena. Only waves perform these phenomena. Reflection 1. Reflection occurs when an incident wave hits a reflector and reflected back. 2. 3. The direction of propagation of the wave changed when it is reflected. The wavelength, frequency and speed of wave remain unchanged.

4. The amplitude of the wave may or may not change depend on the material of the reflector and the shape of the wavefront.

Reflection of Straight and Circular Wave 1. Reflection of waves obeys the law of reflection, that is a. b. plane. The angle of incident is equal to the angle of reflection The incident wave, reflected wave and the normal lie on the same

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2. For reflection of circular wave, the distance of image from the reflector is equal to the distance of source of wave from the reflector.

(Reflection of Straight Plane Wave)

(Reflection of Circular Wave)

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Reflection of Light Wave 1. The characteristic of reflection of light enables us to see objects. Objects that do not emit light are not seen in the dark. An object only is seen if light is incident on it a reflected back to our eyes Experiment

2. The experiment of reflection of light wave shows that reflection of light wave obeys the law of reflection.

Application of Reflection of Light

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Reflection of Sound Wave Experiment

Conclusion: 1. The angle of incidence, i is equal to the angle of reflection, r. 2. Sound waves obey the law of reflection. That is, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

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Q&A Why hard plywood is used? A hard surface is a good sound reflector. Hard plywood is used so that only very little energy is lost during the reflection. Q&A Why mechanical stop watch is used as source of sound? Because its sound is not loud enough to be heard directly by the observer. Q&A Why cardboard tube is used? The cardboard tube is used to help to direct the incident and reflected sound waves. Q&A Why soft wood is used? The soft wood can absorb any sound from the stopwatch and prevent it from reaching the observer.