WAVES

CHAPTER 1

The Nature of Waves

1) Mechanical Waves
Sea waves
Sound
Light

2)Electromagnetic waves

1.1 Understanding
Waves
A

wave is a travelling disturbance

from a vibrating or oscillating source.
As a wave travels, it carries energy
along with it in the direction of its
propagation.

Types of waves
2

basic types:

1. Transverse wave:

is a wave in which the particles of the medium

oscillate in the direction perpendicular to the
direction of propagation of the wave.
Example: water waves and electromagnetic waves
2. Longitudinal wave:
is a wave in which the particles of the medium
oscillate in the direction parallel to the
propagation of the wave.
Example: sound waves

..\..\Physic's video\Waves video\Creating a Transverse Wave

[www.keepvid.com].mp4

..\..\Physic's video\Waves video\Creating a Longitudinal Wa

ve [www.keepvid.com].mp4

..\..\Physic's video\Waves video\Transverse and Longitudin

al Harmonic Waves [www.keepvid.com].mp4

Important Terms

elength : distance between successive point of the s

phase in a wave.
Wavefront:
is an imaginary line that joins all identical
points on a wave.
*Oscillating system: refers to a system that
undergoes a periodic to-and-fro movement.
Amplitude, a:
Amplitude of an oscillation is the maximum
displacement from the mean position
Period, T:
is the time taken to complete one oscillation.
Frequency, f:
is the number of complete oscillations made in

Displacement-time graph for a wave

Displacement-distance graph for a wave

Damping in an Oscillating
System
Damping

in an oscillating system
occurs when the system loses
energy to the surrounding, usually in
the form of heat.
Example: When no external force is
applied, a swing will oscillate with
smaller and smaller amplitude and
finally stops completely due to
energy loss from factors like air

Damping in an
Oscillating sytem
Damping

causes amplitude & energy

decreases but frequency does not
change
Oscillating system with no damping
known as ideal oscillating system
the energy alternates between
potential and kinetic energy with no
energy loss to the surrounding.

Damping in an Oscillating
System
The

forces responsible for damping are

often called dissipative forces because
they dissipate the energy from the system.
2 types of damping:
1. Internal damping:The energy lost due to the

extension and compression of the molecules

in the oscillating system.
2. External damping: The energy is lost due to
the frictional force or air resistance during the
oscillation.

Resonance/ forced oscillation

in Oscillating System
A

system oscillates at its natural

frequency when no external force is
applied on it. (Example: natural
frequency of a simple pendulum
depends on its length. A longer
pendulum has a lower natural
frequency)

Resonance/ forced oscillation

in Oscillating System
When

a periodic force is applied to

an oscillating system, the response
depends on the frequency of the
periodic force.
Example: Chee pushing his girlfriend
each time when the swing reaches
the highest position. By doing so, the
swing will be able to oscillate
continuously with a large amplitude.

Resonance/ forced oscillation

in Oscillating System
*External

force: energy supplied to a

system.
*Natural frequency: system oscillates
freely without the action of an
external force.
*An oscillating system is said to be
at resonance when it is driven at its
natural frequency by a periodic
force. Maximum energy transfer
occurs to the system and it oscillates

Resonance/ forced oscillation

in Oscillating System
Bartons

Pendulum: (Diagram)
X&B have same length. Others are
different.
Pendulum X is pulled aside and then
released to set it into oscillation.
(Pendulum X is the driver pendulum).
Its oscillation transmitted along the
string.
When X starts oscillates, other
pendulums also start to oscillate.

Resonance/ forced oscillation

in Oscillating System
Pendulum

B oscillates with maximum amplitude.

Others oscillate with very small amplitudes.
Other pendulum depend on a periodic force
from pendulum X. They oscillate with same
frequency with X.
X & B have same natural frequency (because
same length).
Pendulum B received a bigger amount of energy
from pendulum X compared to other pendulum
make it to oscillate with maximum amplitude
when energy is supplied at its own natural
frequency.

Resonance/ forced oscillation

in Oscillating System
*Resonance

occurs when the driving

(forced) frequency of the oscillating
system is equal to the natural
frequency of the system. (The
resonating system oscillates at its
maximum amplitude)

Ripple Tank

1.2 Analysing Reflection of

Waves
Reflection

of wave occurs when a wave

strikes an obstacle.
The wave undergoes a change in
direction of propagation when it is
reflected.
Angle of incidence, i = angle of
reflection, r

1.2 Analysing Reflection of

Waves
*Law of Reflection of Wave
The angle of incidence, i is equal to
the angle of reflection, r
The incident wave, the reflected wave
and the normal lie in the same plane
which is perpendicular to the reflecting
surface at the point of incidence.

Concave
Reflector
Plane incident
wave

Circular incident
wave

Concave
Reflector

Concave
Reflector

Circular
incident
wave

Convex
reflector
Centre
of
reflecte
d wave,
F

Convex
Reflector

Centre of
reflected
wave

1.3 Analysing Refraction of

Waves
Refraction

of wave occurs when the

speed of a wave changes, as it
moves from one medium to another
with different depth.
Water wave travel fast ----deep water
Water wave travel slow ----shallow
water

1.3 Analysing Refraction of

Waves
After

refraction, the wave has the

same frequency, but different speed,
wavelength and direction.
Deep to shallow water ---- wave
refracted toward the normal
Shallow to deep water--- wave
refracted away from normal

Deep region

Shallow
region

Deep region

Why sound can be heard over a longer

distance
on a cold night compared with a hot
day?
Sound waves travel faster in warm air
than
in cool air. On a hot day, the hot
surface of the
earth causes the layer of air near the
surface
to be warmer.
This causes sound waves to be
refracted away

Parallel water wave

cape
Bay

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of

Waves
Diffraction

of waves is a
phenomenon in which waves spread
out as they pass through an aperture
or round a small obstacle.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of

Waves

The effect of diffraction is obvious only if

(a) The size of the aperture or obstacle is
small enough
(b)The wavelength is large enough
Characteristics of diffracted wave
(a) Frequency, wavelength and speed of
wave does not change
(b)Changes in the direction of
propagation and the pattern of the
waves

Answer
DESIGN

REASON/ EXPLANATION

(i) The design and

structure of the retaining
wall

-the retaining wall should

be made of concrete to
withstand strong waves
during the monsoon
season

(ii)Height of retaining wall

Must be high so that it

can prevents the splash
from damaging the ships
behind the wall.

(iii)The thickness of the

base of the retaining wall

Must be thicker to
withstand high pressure
deep underwater as
water pressure increases
with depth.

(iv)The wall is located far

away from the harbour

The wave energy or the

amplitude will decrease
upon reaching the
harbour.

(v) The size of the

opening must be small as

The diffraction effect on

waves will be obvious,

1.5 Analysing Interference

of Waves
Interference is the Superposition
of two waves originating from 2
coherent source.
Coherent source source that
produces wave with same
frequency, amplitude and in phase

 Principle

of superposition
The wave displacement of the
combined motion of any number of
interacting waves at a point is the
sum of the displacements of all the
component waves at that point

Constructive
interference

Destructive
interference

Effect of
interference

Interference of light waves

Interference of sound
waves

 = wavelength

ax

a = distance between two coherent source

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

ax

x
1
x
a
xD

1.6 Analysing Sound

waves
Is longitudinal waves which require
a medium for its propagation
Infrasonic

Audio/sonic

ultrasonic

< 20Hz

20Hz
20kHz

> 20kHz

Speed of sound
Unaffected by pressure
Increase with temperature

Loudness and Amplitude of

sound
Loudness

influence by amplitude

Pitch and frequency

Pitch

influence by frequency
High pitch = high frequency

Application of sound wave

Ultrasound

for scanning of a foetus.

Locating an object under water
Disintegration of kidney stones

1.7 Analysing
electromagnetic waves
Electromagnetic waves are propagating
waves in space with electric and
magnetic components. These
components oscillate at right angle to
each other and to the direction of
propagation.
Electromagnetic waves carries energy
and momentum which may be imparted
when they interact with matter.

Properties of
electromagnetic
wave

Detrimental Effects of
Electromagnetic Waves
The human eye cannot detect ultraviolet
rays but overexposure of these rays can
cause blindness. Overexposure to
ultraviolet rays can also cause sunburn
and skin cancer.
The high energy associated with the
short wavelength radiations, ultraviolet
radiations, x-rays and gamma rays can
damage living tissues.
These radiations ionise atoms and

Detrimental Effects of
Electromagnetic Waves
X-rays have very high penetrating
power. These rays have adverse effects
on living cells.
Cancer and genetic defects can be
induced by overexposure to x-rays.
Gamma rays have very high penetrating
power. Overexposure to gamma rays
can lead to genetic defects and the
harming of living cells.

4) Table below shows five different waves with their

respective wavelengths.

a) State two comparison between the characteristics

of sound waves and light waves.
b) Which of the following waves has the highest
frequency?
c) State a reason for your answer in b).
d) Sound waves are used to determine the depth of a
lake. The frequency and the wavelength of the
sound waves are 2000 Hz and 75 cm respectively.
The sound wave is received 2.0 s after its
transmission into the lake. Calculate
i. The velocity of the sound wave,
ii. The depth of the lake

Essay Question

Table above shows the specifications of

four radar systems P, Q, R and S, which
can be used to send out the signals.
Based on the given table, explain the
suitability of each specification to
transmit signals. Choose the most
suitable radar system and justify your
choice.
[10 marks]