Types of Waves

WEEK : 8
SUBJECT : PHYSICS
TOPIC : TYPES OF WAVES
TEACHER :. NKADO ROSELINE.
TYPES OF WAVES
Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
A wave is said to be a transverse wave if the direction of vibration of the particles of the medium is
perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave. For example:water wave and waves generated by
plucking a string.
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Longitudinal Wave
A wave is said to be a longitudinal wave if the direction of travel of the wave is the same as the direction
of vibration of the particles of the medium. Example: sound waves.
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Mode of propagation of transverse waves.
With reference to waves as a typical example of transverse wave. Assuming that a water wave is
generated in a pond and that a small piece of cork or wood is floating in the path of the wave. The cork
will be seen to move up and down.
This means that all the particles of water vibrate up and down as the wave. This up and down motion of
the cork is perpendicular to direction of the wave along the surface.. Also, light and Electromagnetic
waves are transverse waves but since no medium is required for their propagation,the vibrations cannot
be particle vibrations. It can be shown that in this case, the wave constitutes electric and magnetic
vibrations which are perpendicular to each other and of very high frequency.
A transverse wave can be illustrated with a series of up and down movements. The region of a maximum
upward displacement is called a crest, while the region of maximum downward displacement is called a
trough.
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Mode of propagation of Longitudinal Waves:
If a wave motion is such a that the particles vibrate in the same direction in which the wave travels,it is
called a longitudinal wave. The vibrating particles behave like a spiral Spring with a series of compressed
regions and spaced out regions. The compressed regions and the spaced-out regions are referred to as
compressions and rarefactions respectively. Thus,in a longitudinal wave motion, particles of the medium
can be represented with a spiral Spring. Example of longitudinal wave is sound wave
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Wavefront
The common circle of all particles which vibrates in phase constitute what is called a wavefront. A plane
wave can also be generated by dropping a straight rod in water. Near the edges of the rod, the
wavefront is curved.
Travelling (progressive)and standing (stationary)waves:
Progressive waves are all waves both transverse and longitudinal which continuously spread out from a
vibrator. A standing or stationary wave is a wave obtained when two progressive waves of equal
amplitude and frequency are travelling in opposite directions and combine together. Most stationary
waves are obtained as a result of reflection of the incident waves.
In stationary waves,some points are permanently at rest. These points are called nodes while some
other points vibrate with maximum amplitude. These are called antinodes (A)
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Examples of stationary waves are:
1.plucking a fixed string. Here transverse wave travels in both directions along the string and is reflected
at the fixed ends.
2.Waves set up in open and closed pipes are longitudinal stationary waves.
Mathematical Representation of wave motion.
Travelling wave equation will be written in form of a sine or cosine function:
y=sin ø or
y=cos ø
Here sinø and cosø are periodic function with amplitudes equal to one and period equal of 2π angular
velocity,w=Ø/t[radians per second]
Ø =wt
The equation above can be written thus
y=sin wt__________eq(1)
y=cos wt_________
In general,a travelling wave whose amplitude is A and constant angular velocity is w can be written
as:y=Asin(wt-∅)_____(2)
or in cosine form
Where ∅ is a constant for a wave which did not start from origin. The period is time,T, to complete one
cycle, T=2π/W, t=Ø/w
Constant Angular distance∅ is known as phase constant and is related to the linear distance x by
∅=2π/h
Where h is the wavelength of the wave. Wave number,k=2π/h
Thus; equation (2) will be written as
y=Asin(wt-kx)______(3)
y=Asin 2π/h[ht/T- x]_____(4)
y=Asin 2π/h[vt-x]_______(5)
Thus, any of the equations (2)--(5) can be used to represent a plane progressive wave.
Example 1
Travelling wave in string is given by y=0.03sin (2.2x - 3.5t)where y and x are in metres,and t is in
seconds.Find the amplitude,the wavelength,the frequency,the period and the speed of the wave.
Solution
Compare this function with the equation (3) y=Asin(wt-kx)
A=0.03m;k=2.2m-¹ w=3.5rads-¹
H=wavelength=2π/k=2.86m
Period, T=2π/w
=1.80s
v=Fh =h/T = 2.86m/1.80s=1.59m|s.

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WEEK : 8

TOPIC : TYPES OF WAVES

TEACHER :. NKADO ROSELINE.

Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

(leave 7 lines for the drawing)

(7 lines for the drawing)

Mode of propagation of transverse waves.

Mode of propagation of Longitudinal Waves:

Travelling (progressive)and standing (stationary)waves:

Examples of stationary waves are:

Mathematical Representation of wave motion.

Travelling wave equation will be written in form of a sine or cosine function:

The equation above can be written thus

Where h is the wavelength of the wave. Wave number,k=2π/h

Thus; equation (2) will be written as

y=Asin 2π/h[ht/T- x]_____(4)

Compare this function with the equation (3) y=Asin(wt-kx)

v=Fh =h/T = 2.86m/1.80s=1.59m|s.

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