PHYSICS

FORM 5

Chapter 6

Waves
Compiled by

In collaboration with

Cikgu Desikan

Cikgu Khairul Anuar

SMK Changkat Beruas, Perak

SMK Seri Mahkota, Kuantan

Chapter 6

Waves
Dear students,

FORM 5 PHYSICS
2016

You see, God helps only people who work hard. That principle is very
clear.
~A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Learning Objectives :
1.
2.
3.
4.

Understanding waves
Analysing reflection of waves
Analysing refraction of waves
Analysing diffraction of waves

5.
6.
7.

Analysing interference of waves

Analysing sound waves
Analysing electromagnetic waves

Analysis of Past Year Questions

P1
P2

P3

A
B
C
A
B

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

6
1
1
-

6
1
1
-

6
1
1
-

8
2
1
1
-

7
1
1

6
1
1
1
-

4
1

7
1
1
-

2015

Chapter 6

Waves
Dear students,

Either you run the day or the day runs you.

Concept Map
Waves

Wavefront

Oscillating/ Vibrating system

Loss of energy

Propagation

Displacement, y
Amplitude, a
Frequency, f
Wavefront,

Types of waves
Longitudinal

Transverse

Example
Sound

Water

Light

Electromagnetic

Damping
Resonance

Formula
Speed

phenomena

V=f

Properties
Pitch
Loudness

Reflection
Diffraction

Graph

Refraction

Interference

Spectrum

y-t

y-s

6.1 Waves
What is waves ?

How do waves transfer energy?

a disturbance or variation that transfers

energy progressively from point to point in
a medium

When energy is transferred by a wave

from a vibrating source to a distant
receiver, there is no transfer of matter
between the two points.

Type :
Sound
by vibrating mechanical bodies
such as a guitar strings or a
tuning fork

Example

Light
result of vibrations of electrons in
an atom
Water
by a disturbance on a still water
surface

When the string is shaken up and down, a

disturbance moves along the length of the
string. It is the disturbance that moves
along the length of the string, not parts of
the string itself.

Example

Drop a stone in a quite pond.

It will produce a wave that moves out from the center in expanding circles.
It is the disturbance that moves, not the water.
After the disturbance passes, the water is where it was before the wave was produced .
Wave moves outwards
Cork moves up and down as
the wave passes

The energy transferred from a ____________________(the

stone) to a ___________
source
receiver
matter
(the cork) which does not involve the transfer of ___________(water).
The string and water is the medium through which wave energy travels.

What is Transverse Wave ?

A wave in which the vibration of particles in the medium is perpendicular to the direction of
propagation of the wave.

side to side
movement

direction of wave
propagation

fixed
end

direction of vibration
of particles
The motion of the particles medium (spring) is at right angles to the direction in which the wave
travels.
Example
1. Water waves

2. Light waves

What is Longitudinal Wave ?

A longitudinal wave is a wave which the vibration of particles in the medium is parallel the
direction of propagation of the wave.

backwards and
forwards movement
direction of wave
propagation
fixed
end

rarefaction

rarefaction

direction of vibration of
particles
The particles of the medium (spring) move along the direction of the wave. The wave that travels
along the spring consists of a series of compression and rarefaction.

Example
1. Sound waves

Direction

Direction
Process of
transferring
energy from one
location to
another

the vibration of
particles in the
medium is
perpendicular to
the direction of
propagation of the
wave.

Transverse
Waves

Produced by an
oscillating or
vibrating motion

Example

the vibration of
particles in the
medium is parallel
to the direction of
propagation of the
wave.

Longitudinal
Waves
Example

Water waves
Light waves

Does not involve

the transfer of
matter

Sound waves

What is a ripple tank?

The phenomenon of water waves can be

investigated using a ripple tank.

Lamphouse

The water waves are produced by a

vibrating bar on the water surface.
The tank is leveled so that the depth of
water in the tank is uniform to ensure water
waves propagate with uniform speed

To cell and
rheostat
Down for circular
waves
Straight wave
dipper

Stroboscope

Rubber
Band
Eccentric

Sponge
beach
Water

Plane waves

Wave pattern on
white screen

Circular waves

crest

light from lamp

trough

The water acts as a lens to produce a pattern of

bright and dark regions on a piece of white
paper placed under the tank when light passes
through it.
Water waves have crests and troughs.
Crest
the highest position of the wave acts as a
convex lens

water

Trough
the lowest position acts as a concave lens.

dark bright dark bright dark

screen

Light rays from the lamp on top will focus onto

the white screen below.

Bright lines correspond to the crests.

Dark lines correspond to the trough.

10

Wavefronts are lines joining

all points vibrating at the
same phase and of equal
distances from the source of
the waves.
The wavefronts of both
transverse wave and
longitudinal wave are
perpendicular to the
direction of propagation of
the waves.

Direction of propagation
Q

Ripple tank

Plane
Dipper

Water

Wavefront

U Crest

Trough

Wavefront

2. Circular wavefronts
1. Plane wavefronts
Q

Direction
of
propagation
P

Direction
of
propagation
Direction
of propagation

11

Vibration/Oscillation
The movement from one
extreme position to the other
and back to the same
position

Amplitude (a)
The maximum
displacement from its
equilibrium position.
Amplitude relates to
loudness in sound and
brightness in light.

Waves

SI unit: meter, m

Wavelength ()
The distance between two adjacent points of
the same phase on a wave.

The distance between two successive

crests or two successive troughs

The distance between two successive

compressions or two successive
rarefactions in a sound wave.
12

Period (T)

Frequency, f
The number of waves produced in
one second.

The time taken for an

oscillation to complete one
cycle.

f=

SI unit is second (s).

Waves

1
T

SI unit is Hertz (Hz)

Wave Speed (v)
The speed of a wave is the
measurement of how fast a crest is
moving from a fixed point.

Relationship
The relationship between speed,
wavelength and frequency

v=f

SI unit is ms-1.
Displacement-distance graph
Displacement

Displacement-time graph
Displacement

Distance

Time

T
13

Exercise 6.1.1
1. Determine wave length and amplitude from
the graph given below.
Displacement

18 cm

3. A whistle produces a sound at a frequency of

400 Hz. If the speed of the sound is 600ms-1,
determine the wavelength of the sound
wave.

= 1.5 m
5 cm

Time

= 12 cm
a = 2.5 cm

4.
12 cm

2. A slinky spring vibrated to generate

longitudinal waves.
40 cm
Determine wave length of water wave from
the diagram given above.
= 1.5 cm
20 cm
The wavelength of the waves is _________.

14

5. The figure shows the waveform of a slinky

spring which vibrated at a frequency of 8 Hz.

Displacement/ m

Displacement/ m

10
2.0

1.0

distance/ m

Time/ms

-6

10
Determine
a) amplitude
b) wavelength
c) wave speed

6. Determine the frequency of the wave.

2000 Hz
5m
1.0 m
8 ms-1
7. The circular waves produced by a vibrating
sphere dipper with a frequency of 5 Hz.
What is the wave speed of the wave.

7.5 cms-1
4.5 cm

15

Damping
Damping process is a process of losing
energy in a vibrating/ oscillating system
in the form of heat.

Graph
Displacement

The amplitude of an oscillating system will

gradually decrease and become zero when
the oscillation stops.

Time

Causes
1. Loss of energy in the system to
overcome frictional forces or air
resistance
External damping

To enable an oscillating system to go on

continuously, an external force must be
applied to the system.
.

2. Loss of energy due to the extension

and compression of the molecules in
the system
Internal damping
.

The external force supplies energy to the

forced
system. Such a motion is called a _________
oscillation
________________.
The frequency of a system which oscillates
freely without the action of an external force is
called the natural frequency
.

16

Resonance

Resonance occurs when a system is made to oscillate at a frequency equal to its natural frequency
by an external force.
The resonating system oscillates at its maximum amplitude.
Good Effects
1. The tuner in a radio or television enables us to select the programmes we are interested. The
circuit in the tuner is adjusted until resonance is achieved, at the frequency transmitted by a
particular station selected. Hence a strong electrical signal is produced.
2. The loudness of music produced by musical instruments such as the trumpet and flute is the
result of resonance in the air.
Bad Effects
1. A strong wind can cause a bridge to vibrate
at a frequency equal to its natural frequency.
The bridge will collapse as it vibrates with
maximum amplitude.

Tacoma Bridge

2. A soprano singer singing at

a frequency equal to the
natural frequency of
vibration of the glass.
Maximum vibration will cause the glass
shattered into pieces.

17

Experiment in Bartons pendulum

What happens when pendulum X is made to oscillate?

Exercise 6.1.2
1.

The figure shows a simple pendulum with a mass of

40.0 g and a length, L of 20.0 cm. The pendulum
makes 20 complete oscillations in 18.80 seconds.
Relationship between period of oscillation, T of the
simple pendulum with its length, L is expressed in the
formula below as :

Lowest
Position

When pendulum X is swung into oscillation, all the other

pendulums swing.
Pendulum D swings with maximum amplitude.
This is because, the length of the pendulum X = length of
the pendulum D.
The frequency of oscillation of the pendulum X =
frequency of oscillation of the pendulum D.
Resonance has occurred in pendulum D and caused it to
swing with maximum amplitude.

Highest
Position

L
T=2
g

where g is gravitational
acceleration.

18

a) Using the letters A,B and C from the figure, state

i. the equilibrium position
B
ii. the order of the positions of pendulum bob in a complete oscillation.
C B A B C / B A C A B / A B C B A

b) Calculate period of oscillation of the pendulum.

0.94 s

c) Calculate frequency of oscillation of the pendulum.

1.06 Hz

d) What happens to the frequency of the pendulum when pendulum bob with a mass of
50.0 g is used.
No change

19

e) Determine the frequency of the pendulum when the length of pendulum, L is increased to
80 cm.
0.563 Hz

f)

After oscillating number of times, the pendulum finally stops. Why?

Mengalami pelembapan

g) Sketch a displacement- time graph to show the oscillations of the pendulum untul it stops.
Displacement

Time

h) State the types of energy of pendulum when it located

i. at B
Kinetic Energy
ii. at C
Gravitational Potential Energy
iii. between B and C
Kinetic Energy and Gravitational Potential Energy

20

6.2 Reflection of waves

Lamphouse

Reflection of waves occurs when a wave

strikes an obstacle.
The wave undergoes a change in direction
of propagation when it is reflected.
The value of frequency (f), wavelength
() and speed (v) remain the same after
reflection.
Rubber
Band

Law of Reflection:
Incident angle, i = Reflected angle, r
Incident wave :
the wave before it strikes the
obstacle
Reflected wave:
the wave which has undergone a
change in direction of propagation
after reflection.

To cell and
rheostat
Down for circular
waves
Straight wave
dipper

Reflector

Sponge
beach
Water

Complete the diagrams to show reflection of water

waves.
a)

white screen

b)

i = angle of incident the angle

between the direction of propagation
of incident wave and the normal
r = angle of reflection the angle
between the direction of propagation

21

6.3 Refraction of waves

Refraction of waves

After refraction, the wave has the same,

but a different speed, frequency and
direction of propagation.

a phenomenon in which the direction of

propagation of a wave changes when
passing from one medium to another
medium.

Lamphouse

The change in the direction of wave occurs

when there is a change in the speed of the wave
at the boundary of two mediums.
The relationship between v and of a
water wave in deep and shallow water:

v=f

f is constant

Rubber
Band
Plastic
plate

v is directly proportional to

v
f

v1 v 2

f1 f2

=k

v1

v2

Deep water

Shallow water
Plastic plate

To cell and
rheostat
Down for circular
waves
Straight wave
dipper

Sponge
beach
Water

v1 > v2
1 > 2
white screen
Deep water

22

Shallow water

Depth
Deep
water

v
Water waves
passes from
deep water to
shallow water

Frequency
Normal unchanged Shallow
water

Wave
Speed
changes

Normal
Deep
water

Depth

v
Water waves
passes from
shallow water to
deep water

Wavelength
changes

refracted
toward the
normal

Angle of
Refraction
changes

refracted away
from the
normal

23

Complete the diagrams which show refraction of water waves.

1)

4)

Deep

Shallow

Deep

Deep

2)
Shallow

Deep
Shallow

Deep

5)

Deep

3)

Deep

Deep
Shallow

Deep

Shallow

Deep

24

Exercise 6.3
1. A plane wave has a wavelength of 2 cm
and a velocity of 8 cm s-1 as it moves over
the surface of shallow water. When the
plane wave moves into an area of greater
depth, its velocity becomes 12 cm s-1.
What is
a) the wavelength
b) the frequency of the wave in the area
of greater depth?
a) 3 cm
b) 4 Hz

2. The diagram shows a plane water wave

moving from one area P to another area Q
of different depth.
P

12 cm

12 cm

If the speed of water wave in P is 18 cms-1,

what is the speed of water wave in Q?
9 cms-1

25

6.4 Diffraction of waves

Diffraction Of Waves
A phenomenon in which waves spread out as they pass through a aperture/ gap or round a
small obstacle.
Frequency, wavelength and
speed of waves do not
change.

Changes in the
direction of
propagation and
the pattern of the
waves.

Characteristics of
diffracted waves

The amplitude of the

diffraction wave
decreases (its energy
decrease).

Factors that influence

the effect of diffraction

Saiz of gap or
obstacle

Saiz of
wavelength

The effect of diffraction is obvious if:

1. the size of the gap or obstacle is
small enough
__________________________.

large enough
2. the wavelength is _____________
_________________________

The effect of diffraction is obvious if the shape of the diffracted waves more spread out or
more circular.

26

Pembelauan Gelombang Air

Pemerhatian
(a) Celah lebar

The waves are bend only at the

edges after passing through the gap.
The effect of diffraction is not obvious

Lampu

ke bekalan kuasa
dan rheostat

Gelang
getah

Pencelup
sfera
Pencelup
satah

Obstacle

Stroboskop

Tebing
spon
Air

(b) Celah sempit

Gelombang membulat dan kelihatan

berpunca dari celah kecil. Kesan
pembelauan adalah ketara.

Skrin putih

27

(c) Large Obstacle

The waves only curved at the edge

which adjacent to the barrier after
passing the obstacle. The effect of
diffraction is not obvious.

(d) Small Obstacle

The waves only curved at the edge

which adjacent to the barrier after
passing the obstacle. The effect of
diffraction is obvious.

***
As the size of the gap or obstacle is smaller, the effect of diffraction becomes obvious.

28

Diffraction of Light
a) Single Slit

b) Pin hole
alternate
bright and
dark ring

bright bands and dark

bands of different width.
Screen

Light spread after

passing the pin
hole

Light
spreads
out behind
the slit
Laser beam

0.1mm
wide slit

Laser beam

1. Light is diffracted if it passes through a

narrow slit comparable in size to its
wavelength.
2. However, the effect is not obvious as the
size of the slit increases.
3. This is because the wavelengths of light are
very short.

29

The effect of wavelength and the size of the gap on the pattern of diffraction of light
a) Wavelength

b) Size of aperture/ gap

The wavelength of red light is greater than blue

light.

The size of the gap in the diagram (ii) smaller

than the size of the gap in the figure (i).

The effect diffraction is more obvious when the

wavelength is greater.

The effect diffraction is more obvious when the

size of gap is smaller.

30

Diffraction of Sound

Radio

Cleaner

Radio

Cleaner

A cleaner can hear the sound of a radio placed nearby a corner of a wall but he cannot see
the radio. Why?

1. The cleaner can hear the radio even behind obstacles.

2. Sounds from radio to spread around the corner of the wall because of the diffraction of sound
waves.
3. The waves will experience a diffraction when pass through a single aperture or round an
obstacle.
4. Sound waves are more easily diffracted compared to light waves.
5. This is because the wavelength of sound is much larger than the wavelength of light (~ 10 -7 m).

31

Piccolo

If a marching band is approaching on a cross street, which instruments will you hear first?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Low pitched bass drum has long wavelength.

High pitched piccolo has short wavelength.
High pitched sound tend to be more directional because they dont diffract as much.
Therefore, sound from bass drum heard first.

32

6.5 Interference of waves

Interference of waves
A phenomenon of waves which occurs a result of superposition of waves.

33

How does interference occur?

Wave interference occurs when

two waves meet while propagating
along the same medium.
When the two waves are
superposed, interference will occur
either constructive interference or
destructive interference.

Lamphouse

To cell and
rheostat
spherical
dippers

coherent sources
Rubber
Band

Coherent sources are sources that

produce wave having the same
frequency and a constant phase
difference, .

Sponge
beach
Water

white screen

34

Principle of superposition of Waves

When two waves interfered, the resulting displacement of the medium at any location is the
algebraic sum of the displacements of the individual waves.
Superposition of two waves originating from two coherent sources.
Constructive Interference
Superposition of two crests

Superposition of two troughs

Resultant
Amplitude

Cork

Cork
2a

Destructive Interference

Resultant
Amplitude

Superposition of a crest and a trough

Resultant
Amplitude

35

Interference of water waves

Interference pattern of water waves produced when two coherent waves superposed.

S1

S2

1. S1 and S2 are the sources of coherent waves.

2. Water wave interference pattern shown is the result of constructive interference and destructive
interference occurs.
3. For ease of discussion, the wavefront of the crests is represented by a full line while the
wavefront of the troughs is represented by a dotted line as shown in the diagram on the next
page.

36

Interference of Waves
Destructive Interference

Constructive Interference
Constructive interference occurs when two
waves at same phase (two crests or two
troughs) coincide to produce a wave with
crests and troughs of maximum amplitude
(+2a or -2a).

Destructive interference occurs when two

waves at out of phase (crest of one wave with
the trough of the other wave) coincide, thus
canceling each other with the result that the
resultant amplitude = 0.

Keys :
Maximum crest wave (2 crests meet)
Zero amplitude (trough meets crest)
Maximum trough wave (2 troughs meet)
Node line

Antinode
A point where constructive
interference occurs.
Antinode line

Node
A point where destructive
interference occurs.
Wavefront (troughs)
Wavefront (crests)

S2

Waves sources

S1

37

Youngs Formula

Factors affecting the interference pattern

The relationship between , a, x and D

Node line

Antinode line

The interference pattern depend on the

value of x. When x changes, the
interference pattern also changes .

D
x=
a

S1

S2

****Draw graphs

ax
=
D

a = distance between two coherent sources

= wavelength
x = distance between two consecutive node (or
antinode) lines
D = distance from the two sources to the point of
measurement of x

38

xD

1
x
a

1
a

Skrin

Interference of Lights

Dwi-celah
Celah

Youngs double-slit experiment

Sumber
cahaya

Corak Interferens
Eksperimen dwicelah Young boleh digunakan
untuk mengukur panjang gelombang sesuatu
sumber cahaya dengan menggunakan
persamaan:

ax
=
D

Occurs when an incident light wave passes

through a double slit.
An interference pattern is produced as a result
of the superposition of two emerging light waves
from the double slit.

a = Distance between the two

slits on the double slit plate
D =Distance between the
double-slit plate and the
screen
= The wavelength of light
(depends on its color.)
x = Distance between two
consecutive bright fringes or
dark fringes.

Use monochromatic light (light wave with

only one wavelength)
The double slit must be very narrow (about
0.5 mm) to produce a clear interference
pattern because the wavelength of light is
very small.
When light from monochromatic source
passes through a double slit, two sources of
coherent light are produced.
The interference pattern consists of alternate
bright and dark fringes that can be seen on a
distant screen.
Bright fringes : Interferens membina
Dark fringes : Interferens memusnah

39

Interference of Sound Wave

Occurs when two coherent sound waves
interact on the basis of the principle of
superposition to produce a pattern of
alternating loud and soft sounds .

Loudspeaker

1. The two loud speakers are the sources of the

two coherent sound waves as they are
connected to the same audio signal generator.
2. A student will hear alternating loud and soft
sounds as he walks along the straight path
(XY) at a distance of D from the
loudspeakers.
3. The alternating loud and soft sounds is
caused by interference of the sound waves.
X
K

Audio signal
generator

Interference
pattern

Audio signal
generator

K
L
K
L

K = Loud sound
L = Soft sound

K
L
K

Loudspeakers

ax
=
D

a= the distance between the two loudspeakers

D =Distance between the loudspeakers and the path
along which interference can be detected
= The wavelength of sound waves is influenced by the
frequency of the audio signal generator.
x = Distance between two consecutive positions where
loud sound is heard

Loud sound:

Constructive Interference
_________________________
Soft sound :
Destructive Interference
_________________________

40

Exercise 6.5
1. In the interference of two coherent sources
of waves, the separation between two
spherical dippers is 3 cm and the distance
between two consecutive node lines is 4 cm
measured at a distance of 15 cm from the
two coherent sources of waves. Calculate
the wavelength of the water waves
originating from the sources.
0.8 cm

2. In a Youngs double slit experiment, the

distance between the double slit and the
screen is 4.0 m and the separation of the
two slits is 0.5 mm. Calculate the distance
between two consecutive bright fringes for
violet light with a wavelength of 4.0 x 10-7 m.
3.2 mm

41

3. The wavelength of light can be determined

with a double-slit plate.

14 mm

The diagram shows the pattern of

interference fringes obtained in a Youngs
double-slit experiment. The separation of
distance of the two slits is 0.25 mm and the
distance between the screen and the
double slit plate is 3.0 m.
Calculate the wavelength of light used in
the experiment.
1.67 x10-7 m

4. In an experiment on the interference of

waves, two loudspeakers are placed at a
distance of 1.5 m from each other. They
are connected to an audio signal generator
to produce coherent sound waves at a
frequency of 0.5 kHz. Calculate
(a) the wavelength of the sound wave if
the speed of sound is 300 ms-1
(b) the distance between two consecutive
soft sounds at a perpendicular
distance of 5 m from the source of the
sound.
a) 0.6 m
b) 2 m

42

6.6 Sound waves

1. Sound is a form of energy propagated
as waves that make our eardrums
vibrate.
2. Sound waves are caused by
vibrating objects.
3. Sound waves are longitudinal waves.

How the loudness relates to amplitude?

The loudness of the sound depends on its
amplitude.
If the amplitude is increased, the loudness
increases.

How is sound produced by a vibrating

objects ?
Sound waves are produced when a vibrating
object causes the air molecules around it to
vibrate.
When a tuning fork vibrates, layers of air
vibrate and the sound energy is propagated
through the air around it in the form of waves.
When the tuning fork moves forwards, the air
is compressed.
When the tuning fork moves backwards, the
air layers are pulled apart and cause a
rarefaction.
Therefore, a series of rarefactions and
compressions will produce sound.

How the pitch relates to frequency ?

A high pitch sound corresponds to a high
frequency and a low pitch sound
corresponds to a low frequency of vibration.

Vibration

direction
propagation

compression
Tuning Fork

rarefaction

43

Relationship between amplitude and

loudness of sound
The audio signal generator is switched on and
the frequency of the sound wave is adjusted to
a suitable level. The loudness of the sound is
varied from a lot to a high level gradually.
Observation of the shape of the sound wave
displayed on the screen of oscilloscope.
Wave form

Amplitude of
sound wave

Relation between pitch and frequency of

sound
The audio signal is switched on and the
loudness is adjusted to a suitable level. The
frequency of the sound is varied from low to
high gradually.
Observation of the shape of the sound wave
displayed on the screen of oscilloscope.

Loudness
of sound

Wave form

Frequency of
sound wave

Pitch of
sound

High

High

Low

Low

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Low

Low

High

High

Write : Low / Medium / High

CRO
Audio signal
generator

Write : Low / Medium / High

Microphone

Loudspeaker

44

Applications of reflection of sound waves

Ultrasound waves is used to scan and capture the

image of a fetus in a mothers womb and the image of
internal organ in a body.
Transmitter P emits ultrasound downwards to the
fetus.
Detector R receives the ultrasound (echoes) reflected
by the various parts of the fetus.
The soft tissues of the fetus absorb most of the
incident ultrasound, reflect very little.
The bony parts will absorb very little, but reflect most
of the ultrasound.
The reflected ultrasound will produce an image of
contrasting brightness.

Sonogram
Transmitter,
P

R
Detector
Abdomen

Fetus

Sonogram
Image

45

Sonar

SONAR (Sound Navigation And Ranging) used to

locate underwater objects or to measure the depth of a
seabed.
The ultrasonic waves (sound waves frequency>
20,000 Hz) used in this technique.
The ultrasonic waves emitted from the transmitter and
reflected by objects on the seabed. Then reflected
waves detected by the receiver.
Time interval, t between emission and reception of the
ultrasonic wave signal measured using electronic
devices.
If the speed of the sound waves, v is known, the depth
of the seabed, d can be measured by using the
formula:

vt
d=
2

ship

Receiver Transmitter

seabed

d = depth of seabed
v = speed of sound wave in water
t = time interval

CRO used to determine the time

interval, t

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A bat can navigate in darkness

When ultrasonic waves emitted by the bat hit an

object, they are reflected back and received by the
bat.
The time between the emission of the sound
waves and reception of the reflected waves
enables the bat to estimate the position of the
object accurately.
This enables the bat to adjust its direction to avoid
knocking at the object.
Human echolocation lets blind man 'see!!!

Exercise 6.6
1. An ultrasonic wave is used to determine the depth of a seabed. A pulse of ultrasound is
generated and travels to the seabed and reflected by it. The time taken by a pulse of ultrasonic
wave to travel to and fro the seabed is 0.28 s. It the speed of sound in the water is 1 500 ms -1,
calculate the depth of the seabed.
210 m

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6.7 Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic spectrum

Radio waves
long medium short
VHF
waves waves waves
1000 m
frequency

wave length

1m

UHF

ultra X-rays gamma

rays
violet

micro
infra red light
waves
1mm

Increasing frequency

Increasing wavelength

1 x 10
mm

-3

1 x 10
mm

-6

1 x 10
mm

-9

frequency

wave length

Electromagnetic spectrum is the full range of electromagnetic waves, arranged in decreasing

wavelength (longest to shortest).
It consists of radio waves, microwaves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, X rays and
gamma rays.
Radio waves have the longest wavelength but are of low frequency waves. They carry very little
energy.
Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength but are of high frequency waves. They carry very
high energy.

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Electro- Magnetic Waves

It is produced when electric and magnetic field vibrate at right angle to each other. The direction
of propagation of the wave is perpendicular to both fields .
Electric field, E
Electric field
Direction of
propagation

Magnetic field, B

Magnetic field

Properties Of Electro-magnetic Waves

They transfer energy from one point to another.

They are transverse waves.
They can travel through vacuum.
They travel at the same speed through vacuum (speed of light , c = 3 x 108 ms-1)
They all show wave properties such as reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference.
They obey the wave equation, v = f.

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Visible Light

Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see.
Light can be seen as the colours of rainbow.
Each colour has a different wavelength.
Red has the longest wavelength and violet the shortest.
When all the waves are seen together, they make white light.
When white light shines through a prism, the white light is broken apart into the seven colours
of the visible light spectrum.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Applications Of Electro-magnetic Waves

Electromagnetic
wave
Gamma Rays

Sources
Radioactive decay

Applications

X- rays

x-ray tube

Engineering to detect leakages in

underground pipes
Medicine cancer treatment
Food sterilisation
Medicine
X-ray photograph of the internal organs of
the body, e.g to locate bone fracture.
Cancer treatment
Engineering to detect cracks in metal
Checking of luggage at airports

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Electromagnetic
wave

Sources

Applications

Sun, mercury
vapour lamp, hot
objects

Stimulates the formation of vitamin D Detect

fake notes
Fluorescent lamp
Sterilization of surgical tools

Visible light

Flames, lamps,
the sun

Visual communication
Photography
Photosynthesis

Infrared radiation

Hot objects such as

flames, human body,
sun

Ultraviolet rays

Thermal imaging and physiotherapy

Infrared binoculars for night time vision. IR
radiation emitted by a living thing can be
detected.
Remote control for TV / VCR

Microwaves

Radar transmitter
Microwaves oven

Communication system with satellites

Used in radar system
Cooking
Cellular (mobile) phone service

Radio waves

Electrons oscillating
circuit in aerials

For broadcasting and wireless

communication
UHF (ultra high frequency) radio waves
television and hand phones
VHF (very high frequency) radio wave local
radio FM and wireless communication used
by the police

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Detrimental effects of excessive exposure to certain components of the electromagnetic

spectrum
Radio Waves

No evidence of hazard

Microwaves

1. Internal heating of body tissues when they enter our body.

2. Long exposure to mobile phones can cause brain tumor and
inner ear complications in children.

Infrared

1. Skin burns

Visible light

No evidence of hazard

Ultraviolet

1. Damage to the surface cells (including skin cancer) and

blindness

X-rays

1. Damage to cells.
2. Cancer, mutation
3. The mutated cells may result in the abnormal growth of cancer
cells.
4. Pregnant mothers who are exposed to X-rays and radiations
too frequently may cause abnormalities in new born babies.

Gamma rays

It you thought that science was certain -- well,

that is just an error on your part.
.

Richard P. Feynman
(1918 - 1988)

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