ADDITIONAL SCIENCE FORM 5

CHAPTER 4: VIBRATION AND

WAVE PROPAGATION

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

A vibrating system is a system which

oscillates uniformly within its equilibrium
position.
The vibrating system produces
disturbances in the form of waves.

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

A simple pendulum is an example of a vibrating system

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

Equilibrium position
One complete oscillation in a simple pendulum

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

Amplitude (a) is the

maximum displacement
of the wave from the
equilibrium position

Period (T) is the

time required
for a complete
wave to pass
through a given
point. The unit
is in second (s)

O
Equilibrium
position

Wavelength () is
the minimum
distance between
two points that
have the same
displacement. The
unit is in metres
(m)
Frequency (f) is the
number of complete
wave that passes
through a given
point in one second.
The unit is in hertz
(Hz)

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

The natural frequency of a vibrating

system is the frequency the system
moves on its own.
If a forced frequency from another
vibrating system is applied on a vibrating
system, it produces a forced vibration.
Resonance occur when the natural
frequencies of two objects are the same.

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

Resonance in tuning forks

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

Video on resonance:

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

Video on resonance:

4.1 VIBRATION AND WAVE

There are many things in our surroundings

that operate on the principle of resonance.
The natural frequency of electric
currents in a circuit may be tuned to that
of an incoming radio signal, which is then
amplified and converted into sound.

4.2 THE PROPAGATION OF WAVE

The propagation of wave is also the

propagation of energy.

4.2 THE PROPAGATION OF WAVE

Video on waves:

4.2 THE PROPAGATION OF WAVE

Production of sound wave

4.2 THE PROPAGATION OF WAVE

Transverse wave

Longitudinal wave

The direction of wave propagation

is perpendicular to the direction of
the particles

The direction of wave propagation

is the same as the direction of
particles

Able to propagate through vacuum

Unable to propagate through

vacuum. It needs a medium to travel

Able to transfer energy

Able to transfer energy

Example: water waves

Example: sound waves

4.2 THE PROPAGATION OF WAVE

The propagation velocity (v) of a wave is

the velocity of the energy transfer and is
given by the frequency (f) travelled by the
wave multiplied by the wavelength ().
v=f
where
v is velocity in ms-1
f is frequency in Hz
is wavelength is m

4.2 THE PROPAGATION OF WAVE

Example 1:
Find the velocity of a wave with a
wavelength 2.5 m and frequency 44 Hz.
Solution
v=f
= 44 x 2.5
= 110 ms-1

4.2 THE PROPAGATION OF WAVE

Example 2:
The FM band of a radio has a frequency of
100 MHz. Find the wavelength of an FM
wave if the velocity of the electromagnetic
wave is 3 x 108 ms-1.

4.2 THE PROPAGATION OF WAVE

Solution
=v
f
= _3 x 108
100 x 106
=3m