The World Communicates

Assumed Knowledge
Domain: knowledge and understanding: Refer to the Science Years 710 Syllabus for the
following:
5.6.1a) identify waves as carriers of energy
5.6.1b) qualitatively describe features of waves including frequency, wavelength and
speed
5.6.1c) give examples of different types of radiation that make up the electromagnetic
spectrum and identify some of their uses
5.6.4a) distinguish between the absorption, reflection and refraction of light and identify
everyday situations where each occurs
5.9.1b) identify that some types of electromagnetic radiation are used to provide
information about the universe
5.12a) describe some everyday uses and effects of electromagnetic radiation, including
applications in communication technology.

Physics Stage 6 Syllabus

1. The wave model can be used to
explain how current
technologies transfer
information

describe the energy transformations required

in one of the following:
mobile telephone
fax/modem
radio and television

describe waves as a transfer of energy

disturbance that may occur in one, two or
three dimensions, depending on the nature of
the wave and the medium

identify that mechanical waves require a

medium for propagation while
electromagnetic waves do not
define and apply the following terms to the
wave model: medium, displacement,
amplitude, period, compression, rarefaction,
crest, trough, transverse waves, longitudinal
waves, frequency, wavelength, velocity
describe the relationship between particle
motion and the direction of energy
propagation in transverse and longitudinal
waves
quantify the relationship between velocity,
frequency and wavelength for a wave:

v = f

perform a first-hand investigation to observe and gather

information about the transmission of waves in:

slinky springs

water surfaces

ropes
or use appropriate computer simulations
present diagrammatic information about transverse and
longitudinal waves, direction of particle movement and the
direction of propagation
perform a first-hand investigation to gather information
about the frequency and amplitude of waves using an
oscilloscope or electronic data-logging equipment
present and analyse information from displacement-time
graphs for transverse wave motion
plan, choose equipment for and perform a first-hand
investigation to gather information to identify the
relationship between the frequency and wavelength of a
sound wave travelling at a constant velocity
solve problems and analyse information by applying the
mathematical model of

v = f
to a range of situations

Communication
Communication is the transfer of information from a sender to a receiver through a
medium.
From this definition it can be seen that there are at least four essential components in
any communications system:

Sender: the source of the information

Receiver: the destination of the information
Information (message): what is being communicated
Medium: the way in which the information is carried from the sender to the receiver

Communication
Humans are social animals and have successfully communicated through the spoken
word, and then, as the use of written codes developed, through increasingly
sophisticated graphic symbols.
A messenger was required to carry the information in hard copy form and this carrier
could have been a vehicle or person. There was, however, still a time limit and several
days were needed to get hard copy information from one side of the world to the other.

electromagnetic spectrum
The discovery of electricity and then the electromagnetic spectrum has led to the rapid
increase in the number of communication devices throughout the twentieth century. The
carrier of the information is no longer a vehicle or person rather, an increasing range of
energy waves is used to transfer the message. The delay in
relaying signals around the world is determined only by the speed of the wave, and the
speed and efficiency of the coding and decoding devices at the departure and arrival points
of the message.

 describe the energy transformations required in one of the

following:
mobile telephone
fax/modem
radio and television
Describe provide characteristics and features.

Energy
Many situations in Physics are linked by the concept of energy. There are two ways of
transferring energy, one by direct contact, as in a collision, the other by means of wave
motion, as in the radiation of heat energy.
Water waves are familiar to most people; other forms of waves include sound and light.
Radio and television signals are transmitted by waves. Regardless of their form, all
waves exhibit the same basic behaviour.
An important aspect of all wave motion is that energy is transferred from one point to
another without the transfer of matter.

describe the energy transformations required in one of

the following:
mobile telephone
fax/modem
radio and television

Energy transformations are necessary for

communication to occur
Energy transformationswhen energy is changed from one form into anotherhappen all
around us. Electrical energy is transformed into other useful forms by devices such as light
globes, speakers, motors and heaters.
In modern communication devices a series of energy transformations is required in order to
transfer information from one place to another. For example:
Microphones transform sound energy into electrical signals.
The reverse happens in speakers, where electrical signals cause a small diaphragm to
vibrate, in turn causing vibrations in the air particles, which then radiate out as sound energy.
Wired telephone communication is carried by electrical signals through copper wires from
telephone to telephone.
In radio, television and mobile telephones, electrical signals are used to modulate radio
waves so that information is sent from the aerial of the transmitting device to the aerial of
the receiving device. However, mobile telephones do not connect with each other directly.
Their signals go through the nearest base station and the telephone companys wire and fibre
optic networks to the base station that is closest to the other telephone.
describe the energy transformations required in one of
the following:
mobile telephone
fax/modem
radio and television

mobile telephone

describe the energy transformations required in one of

the following:
mobile telephone
fax/modem
radio and television

fax/modem

Pathway of energy transformations when information is sent by fax or

modem

describe the energy transformations required in one of

the following:
mobile telephone
fax/modem
radio and television

Radio and Television

Energy transformations when information is sent to a television set (radio

communications occur in a similar manner without light energy)
describe the energy transformations required in one of
the following:
mobile telephone
fax/modem
radio and television

 describe waves as a transfer of energy disturbance that may occur

in one, two or three dimensions, depending on the nature of the
wave and the medium

Describe provide characteristics and features.

Waves - a Definition
Wave motion is the result of a periodic disturbance of a medium, or of space, by some form
of vibration (or oscillation) which transmits energy away from the oscillating source of the
wave.
Consider what happens in the following situations:
a pebble is dropped into a pool of still water
a flag ripples in the breeze
the free end of a rope tied to a post is given a jerk.
In each case a disturbance caused by a vibration travelled through a medium (the water, the
cloth of the flag, the material of the rope). The medium moved up and down or back and forth
but did not go along with the disturbance.
Disturbances that travel through materials are waves. A wave can go from one place to
another (through a medium) carrying energy with it. Wave motion is one of the most
important means of transferring energy in the universe.

Waves in one dimension

You can make a wave travel along a rope or spring if one end is held firmly and the other
end moved up and down as shown in the figure below.
This wave transports energy through a material by the motion of a pulse or disturbance
without a transfer of the material itself.
One-dimensional In the case of
a one-dimensional wave, the energy
travels effectively in a straight line
away from the source of the wave.
e.g. sound confined to a tube such
as a flute, didgeridoo or organ pipe;
a vibration travelling along a
string/spring, a laser beam
(effectively one-dimensional)

describe waves as a transfer of energy disturbance that may occur

in one, two or three dimensions, depending on the nature of the
wave and the medium

Waves in two dimensions

Movement energy from one body can also be transferred to another without the bodies
coming into direct contact.
For example, a cork or fishing float dropped into a pond will vibrate up and down.
When the cork bobs up and down in the still water, waves will be set up on the water
surface and these waves will propagate out from the cork as shown in the figure.

describe waves as a transfer of energy disturbance that may occur

in one, two or three dimensions, depending on the nature of the
wave and the medium

Waves in two dimensions

Two-dimensional The energy associated with a two-dimensional wave spreads out in a
plane or flat surface. e.g. surface water waves, the vibrating skin on a drum, surface
earthquake waves.

Waves in three dimensions

One of the best examples of threedimensional wave motion is the light from a globe
suspended from a wire to the centre of an empty room.
The light comes from the filament of the light globe yet the light illuminates the walls,
floor and ceiling of the room. The sphere of light emitted from a globe.
Sirens are often located on towers
above the ground to warn people
higher in buildings, and on the
ground in all directions from the
tower.
Three-dimensional In the case of a
three-dimensional wave, the energy
spreads out into the space surrounding
the source in all directions. e.g light
from a candle or light bulb, sound in
air, radio waves from a radio stations
transmitter, microwaves from a mobile
phone.

describe waves as a transfer of energy disturbance that may occur

in one, two or three dimensions, depending on the nature of the
wave and the medium

 identify that mechanical waves require a medium for propagation

while electromagnetic waves do not

Identify recognise and name.

Mechanical and Electromagnet waves

Waves come in many forms and can be classified in different ways. One way it to classify them as
either:
Mechanical waves OR
Electromagnet waves
Mechanical waves, which require a medium, that is, a solid, liquid or gas, to transfer energy.
Waves in the ocean convey the energy from the wind to the shore, perhaps thousands of
kilometres away.
Earthquake waves convey energy from the epicentre of the earthquake to the surface this energy is
often clearly evident in the damage and destruction that such events can cause.
Wave energy does not move matter from one
place to another. As the wave passes, the material
that makes up the medium that the wave is
travelling in may be disturbed, but will settle back
to its original position once the wave has passed.
The wave will convey energy from one place to
another

identify that mechanical waves require a medium for

propagation while electromagnetic waves do not

Building in
Concepcion Chile,
February 2010

Mechanical and Electromagnet waves

Electromagnet waves (for example, light waves) do not require a medium for propagation. This is
why light can travel through the vacuum of space from the Sun to the Earth (but sound can not).
Electromagnet waves include: visible light, X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, infrared ..etc

identify that mechanical waves require a medium for propagation while electromagnetic waves do not

Mechanical and Electromagnet waves

Electromagnetic waves are oscillating (changing back and forth) magnetic and electric
fields at right angles to each other that self-propagate, that is, continue on, even
through a vacuum.
In 1864, James Clerk Maxwell (18311879) first proposed the existence of waves
that could travel through empty space as oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
Maxwell believed that a medium, or substance, called the luminiferous aether was
needed for such waves to move through. These waves were believed to have similar
characteristics to light. These electromagnetic waves were later shown to be capable
of moving through empty space, a proposition put forward in 1905 by Albert Einstein
(18791955) in his special theory of relativity.

identify that mechanical waves require a medium for propagation while electromagnetic waves do not

 define and apply the following terms to the wave model:

medium, displacement, amplitude, period, compression, rarefaction,
crest, trough, transverse waves, longitudinal waves, frequency,
wavelength, velocity
Define state meaning and identify essential qualities.

The features of waves

The wavelength of a wave is the distance between
adjacent points of two waves that are in phase. In
phase means these points have exactly the same
motion at the same time. One wavelength is the
distance between adjacent crests or tops of
waves.

The period is the time taken for one complete vibration. That
is, the time from rest to the maximum distance from the
undisturbed level,
then to the lowest point and back again to undisturbed level.
The period is related to the frequency by the relationship that
the period is equal to the reciprocal of the frequency. The
period has the symbol, T.

Top of the wave

bottom of the wave

Displacement is the perpendicular
Distance of a point in the medium
From its rest position as a wave passes

The wave speed is the speed of the wavefront

moving forward. Wave speed has the symbol v.

The frequency is the number of waves that pass a fixed point per
second. The frequency is assigned a symbol, f, when used in
equations. The frequency
of waves is usually measured in cycles per second, or hertz (Hz).
One hertz is one cycle or wavelength passing a point per second.
The pitch of a sound wave is determined by a sounds frequency,
colour also is determined by the frequncy of light

The amplitude is the maximum size of the particle

displacement from the undisturbed state.
The amplitude of a sound wave determines the
volume (loudness) of the sound, while the amplitude
of a light wave determines the brightness of the light

The medium is the material in which the wave is

propagating. Electromagnetic
waves do not require a medium.

define and apply the following terms to the wave model: medium, displacement, amplitude, period, compression, rarefaction, crest, trough,
transverse waves, longitudinal waves, frequency, wavelength, velocity

 describe the relationship between particle motion and the direction

of energy propagation in transverse and longitudinal waves

Describe provide characteristics and features.

Mechanical waves are classified as either transverse or longitudinal according to the

direction of disturbance or vibration relative to the direction of energy flow through a
material.
In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium vibrate in a plane
that is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.
In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium vibrate in the same
direction as the direction of propagation of the wave.

Rarefaction is the term for the regions

in the medium that are stretched out or
elongated as a longitudinal wave
passes

Compression refers to the regions in the medium that, as

a wave passes, become squashed or compressed

describe the relationship between particle motion and the direction of energy propagation in transverse and longitudinal waves
define and apply the following terms to the wave model: medium, displacement, amplitude, period, compression, rarefaction, crest, trough,
transverse waves, longitudinal waves, frequency, wavelength, velocity

Classifying waves
The vibration or disturbance producing
the wave may occur:
at right angles (90) to the direction of
wave propagation. These waves are
called transverse waves

in the same direction as the direction of

wave propagation. These waves are
called longitudinal waves.

Representation
of a transverse
wave and its
key
features

Representation
of a longitudinal
wave and its
key
features

present diagrammatic information about transverse and

longitudinal waves, direction of particle movement and the
direction of propagation

 quantify the relationship between velocity, frequency and wavelength

for a wave:
v = f

Wave Equation
The distance a wave travels in one second can be found by multiplying the number of
whole waves that pass a point in one second by the length of each of the waves.
Stated mathematically, this is v = f .
This equation is also known as the wave equation. It applies to all waves, whether they
are mechanical or electromagnetic, transverse or longitudinal. For example, if five waves
pass a point in the ocean each second, and they each have a wavelength of 20 m, then the
waves must be travelling at 100 m s1.
v=f
v = velocity, measured in m s1
f = frequency, measured in Hz
= wavelength, measured in m
When applying v = f to any form of electromagnetic radiation, the speed, v, of the
wave is taken as the speed of light, c, which is 3.00 108 m s1.

quantify the relationship between velocity, frequency and wavelength for a wave:

v = f

Example 1
A popular FM radio station transmits on a frequency of 104.9 MHz. What is the
wavelength of these radio waves?
f = 104.9 MHz
= 104.9 10 6 Hz
v = 3.00 10 8 ms-1
v = f
Rearrange to make the subject
= 3.00 10 8 ms-1 / 104.9 10 6 Hz
= 2.86 m
(Interestingly, you will notice the effect of this wavelength when you are driving
among tall buildings in the city while tuned in to an FM radio station. When you are
stopped at traffic lights, the station may fade due to reflections from the buildings.
Moving the car forwards or backwards as little as a metre may cancel this effect,
bringing the cars antenna back to a place where reception is full strength.)

quantify the relationship between velocity, frequency and wavelength for a wave:

v = f

Example 2
Compare the wavelength of an AM radio station with a frequency of 702 kHz to
that of the FM radio station in the previous question.

f = 702 kHz
= 702 10 3 Hz
v = 3.00 10 8 ms-1
v = f
Rearrange to make the subject
= 3.00 10 8 ms-1 / 702 10 3 Hz
= 427 m
The wave length for 104.9 MHz was 2.86 m compared to 427 m

quantify the relationship between velocity, frequency and wavelength for a wave:

v = f

Example 3
What is the frequency of red light with a wavelength of 620 nm?
= 620 nm
= 620 10 -9 m
v = 3.00 10 8 ms-1
v = f
Rearrange to make f the subject
f = 3.00 10 8 ms-1 / 620 10 -9 m
= 4.84 10 14 Hz

quantify the relationship between velocity, frequency and wavelength for a wave:

v = f

Example 4
A tsunami wave is detected by an early warning buoy in the Pacific Ocean. It
has a period of 50.0 s. Satellite tracking shows that the wavelength of the waves
is 10.0 km. From this information, the speed of the tsunami in the ocean can be
found. What is its speed?
1st step
f = 1/T
= 1/50.0 s
= 0.02 Hz
Next v = f
= 0.02 Hz 10.0 10 3 m
= 2.00 10 2 ms-1

quantify the relationship between velocity, frequency and wavelength for a wave:

v = f

Graphing Waves
A good way to represent a wave is by using a graph.
Imagine a floating cork bobbing up and down as a series
of ripples move across the water surface (i.e. a periodic
wave).
If you graph the (up-down) displacement of the cork
against time, the graph will look something like this:
What you CAN read from a Displacement-Time
graph:
Amplitude. The vertical scale measures the
displacement of the cork from the equilibrium
position (i.e. the flat water surface).
Period. Since the horizontal scale is time, you can easily
read from the graph how long it takes for one complete up and down cycle.
On this graph T = 0.8s
From Period, calculate Frequency: f = 1 / T
= 1 / 0.8
= 1.25Hz
If the speed of the wave was known, then you could
calculate the wavelength, or vice versa.
present and analyse information from displacement-time graphs for transverse wave motion

Example
Consider the displacement-time graph shown

From the graph, find the

waves:
(a) Amplitude
(b) displacement when t = 9.0 s
(c) period, T

Given that the wave is travelling at 24.0 m s1,

calculate:
(d) the wavelength of the wave (e) sketch the wave
itself showing its amplitude and wavelength.
(f) for different points labelled X, Y and Z on the
sketched wave, show the directions in which these
points are moving or are about to move.

Solutions
(a) 4 m (the maximum displacement)
(b) 2.5 m (from the graph)
(c) 8.0 s (the time taken for the wave to complete one whole oscillation)
(d) As T = 8.0 s, f = 1/8.0
= 0.125 Hz
then: v = f , so = v/f
= 24.0 m s1/0.125 Hz
= 192 m

the chosen point X is moving up as the next crest approaches from the left. Point Y is
about to move up, while point Z is moving down. (Note that the wave is moving to the
right, but the medium itself would be moving up and down.)

 perform a first-hand investigation to observe and gather information about the transmission of waves in:

slinky springs

water surfaces

ropes
or use appropriate computer simulations

 perform a first-hand investigation to gather information about the frequency and amplitude of
waves using an oscilloscope or electronic data-logging equipment

plan, choose equipment for and perform a first-hand investigation to gather information to
identify the relationship between the frequency and wavelength of a sound wave travelling at a
constant velocity

Summary: Jacaranda

Questions: Jacaranda

Questions: Jacaranda

Questions: Jacaranda