Waves: Relation Between Velocity, Frequency, and Wavelength of A Wave

Waves
Continuous disturbance that transfers energy without any net displacement of the medium
particles is called wave.
Different types of waves on the basis of their production are mechanical wave,
electromagnetic wave and matter wave.
Different types of mechanical waves on the basis of their propagation transverse wave and
longitudinal waves.
Mechanical waves need a medium for its propagation.
Representation of a sinusoidal wave travelling along the positive x-axis is
y(x, t) = a sin(kx t + )
The equation can also be represented as linear combination of sine and cosine function.
y(x, t) = A sin(kx t) + B cos(kx t), where a = and
Relation between velocity, frequency, and wavelength of a wave:
Speed of transverse waves in a stretched string is given by,

Where, Tis the tension in the string and is the linear mass density
Speed of longitudinal wave in a solid bar is given by,
Density of the material of the bar
Y Youngs modulus of elasticity
Velocity of longitudinal wave in a liquid is given by,
B Bulk modulus of elasticity
Newtons Formula : The velocity of sound waves in air is given by,
P Pressure, Density of air
Laplace corrected the formula for velocity of sound waves in air or gas. According to
Laplace's formula, the velocity of sound waves in air or gas is given by
Where, is the ratio of two specific heats, C p/C v
Factors affecting velocity of sound:
Velocity of sound in a gas is directly proportional to the square root of absolute

temperature.
Velocity of sound in moist air is greater than velocity of sound in dry air.
It is inversely proportional to the square root of density of gas.
It is independent of pressure, provided temperature is constant.
Superposition Principle: The net displacement is the vector sum of the displacements
caused by individual waves at that point.
Y = Y1 + Y2 + + Yn (For wave grouping)
Interference is the redistribution of energy when two waves with a constant phase
difference interact.
Constructive interference: Net displacement is maximum.
Destructive interference: Net displacement is minimum.
Reflection of Wave
A wave, whether transverse or longitudinal, while travelling in a certain medium
undergoes a change in phase when it is incident on the boundary of another medium.
A wave travelling in a rarer medium suffers a change in phase by radians when it is
incident on the boundary of a denser medium.
For a wave travelling in a denser medium like water, there is practically no resistance
when it is incident on the boundary of a rarer medium like air.
Quincke's tube experiment provides a good laboratory method of measuring the velocity
of sound in air.
The fundamental frequency of the vibrations in a stretched string,
Law of Length
The frequency of a vibration produced by a stretched string is inversely proportional to

its length.
Thus, .
Law of Tension
The frequency of a vibration is directly proportional to the square root of the tension in a
stretched string.
Thus, .
Law of Mass
The frequency of a vibration is inversely proportional to the square root of the mass per
unit length of the stretched string.
Thus, .
Node is a point on the vibrating string, which has the maximum tension and the least
displacement.
Anti-node is the point where the displacement is maximum and tension zero.
Stationary Waves
In strings, stationary waves produce frequencies in multiples of or harmonics of
i.e
Stationary waves: In strings, stationary waves produce frequencies multiple of or
harmonics of , i.e.
Closed pipe: In closed pipes, only odd harmonics are produced, i.e , with
fundamental frequency of .
Open pipe: In open pipes, all harmonics with fundamental or first harmonic are
produced, i.e. , where v is the velocity of sound.
Beats: Beats arise when two waves with slightly different frequencies, n1 and n2, and
comparable amplitudes, are superposed. The beat frequency is .
End correction
The end correction is numerically expressed as e =0.3 d.
Cause of end correction
The cause of end correction is that the air particles in the plane of the open end of the
tube are not free to move in all directions.
Calculation of End Correction
When a pipe is closed at one end:
When a pipe is open at both ends:
Limitations of End Correction
Inner diameter of the tube must be uniform throughout the length.

Effects of air outside, and that of the temperature of the air outside, are to be neglected.
The tuning fork must be held in such a way that the tip of its prong must be horizontal, at
the centre and at a small distance above the open end of the tube.
Doppler Effect
Doppler Effect: It is the change in pitch of a sound when there is relative motion
between the sound source and the observer.
+V0 if observer approaches the source

- V0 if observer recedes from the source
- Vs if observer approaches the observer
+Vs if observer recedes from the observer
Applications of Doppler's effect:
Doppler's effect is used to measure the velocities of moving objects in diverse areas such
as military, medical science, astrophysics, etc.
It is also used by police to check over-speeding of vehicles.
Doppler shift, an application of Doppler's effect, is used at airports to guide aircraft and in
the military to detect enemy aircraft.
In astrophysics, Doppler's effect is used to measure the velocities of stars and also in
determining the speed gases in sun.
Doctors use it to study heart beat and blood flow in different parts of the body.
Limitations of Doppler's effect in sound
It is applicable when the velocities of the sources of sound and observer are much lower
than the velocity of sound
The source and the observer must move in the same direction.
The medium must be in rest; otherwise, the formula has to be modified.

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Waves

Mechanical waves need a medium for its propagation.

Representation of a sinusoidal wave travelling along the positive x-axis is

y(x, t) = A sin(kx t) + B cos(kx t), where a = and

Relation between velocity, frequency, and wavelength of a wave:

Speed of transverse waves in a stretched string is given by,

Speed of longitudinal wave in a solid bar is given by,

Density of the material of the bar

Y Youngs modulus of elasticity

Velocity of longitudinal wave in a liquid is given by,

B Bulk modulus of elasticity

Newtons Formula : The velocity of sound waves in air is given by,

P Pressure, Density of air

Where, is the ratio of two specific heats, C p/C v

Factors affecting velocity of sound:

Velocity of sound in a gas is directly proportional to the square root of absolute

Y = Y1 + Y2 + + Yn (For wave grouping)

The fundamental frequency of the vibrations in a stretched string,

The frequency of a vibration produced by a stretched string is inversely proportional to

In strings, stationary waves produce frequencies in multiples of or harmonics of

Stationary waves: In strings, stationary waves produce frequencies multiple of or

produced, i.e. , where v is the velocity of sound.

comparable amplitudes, are superposed. The beat frequency is .

The end correction is numerically expressed as e =0.3 d.

Cause of end correction

When a pipe is closed at one end:

When a pipe is open at both ends:

Limitations of End Correction

Inner diameter of the tube must be uniform throughout the length.

+V0 if observer approaches the source

Applications of Doppler's effect:

Limitations of Doppler's effect in sound

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