Unit 1 Mechanical Waves

Air particles, thanks for letting her know. Her wave completed my day!Romyaj

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HOURS TO COMPLETE: 4 Learning Objectives:

Waves exist almost everywhere and every time. Generally

>Discuss the nature
speaking, the first thought that we can imagine concerning waves
of a wave
is a picture of a wave moving across
>Define simple
the surface of an ocean, lake pond
or other body of water. These waves harmonic motion
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>Determine ka
may be created by some form of a bangiitang tawo.
disturbance, such as a rock thrown into properties and
the water, a duck shaking its tail in the categories of a wave
water or a boat moving through the >Evaluate the
water. behavior of a wave
These mental pictures we have about wave will provide a as it touches or
useful context for the discussion of the physics of wave motion. passes the
  boundary of a
1.1 The Nature of a Wave medium
>Apply the wave
equations to various
types of problems
relating to waves.

  

To discuss clearly the nature of a wave, let us consider a slinky

FYI
material shown above as an example. When the slinky is
stretched from end to end and is held at rest, it assumes a natural The motion of a
position known as the equilibrium or rest position. If the slinky is pendulum, the
wiggled or stretched and pressed repeatedly, the coil of the motion of a mass
slinky may move upwards or downwards, forwards or backwards; suspended by a
but once moved, it returned to its original equilibrium or rest spring, the
position. When the first coil of the slinky is continuously and motion of a child
periodically vibrated in a back-and-forth manner, we would on a swing, and
observe a repeating disturbance moving within the slinky that the "Hello, Good
endures over some prolonged period of time. The repeating and Morning!" wave
periodic disturbance that moves through a medium from one of the hand can
location to another is referred to as a wave. be thought of as
wavelike
 
phenomena.
 1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion

Predict what will happen to the load on the figure, when it is pull
down and released. Do you think, what type of motion it
demonstrates?

When a downward pull is exerted on the load, the load will

move up and down. The force exerted on the load produces
acceleration and the load is displaced from its equilibrium position.
Isaac Newton
Both the force and acceleration are directly proportional to the
displacement of the load from the equilibrium position. For sure, the
motion of the load repeats itself over and over on a definite path in
equal intervals of time. This type of motion is known as periodic Vibration of a spring
motion. The load oscillates about the equilibrium position because
the spring exerts a restoring force when it is displaced. The restoring Si Isaac Newton usa ka
bangiitang tawo.
force obeys Hooke’s law and the resulting vibration is now known as
simple harmonic motion (SHM).

SHM can now be stated as:

a type of motion along a straight path in which the

acceleration is proportional to the displacement of the object from its
equilibrium position and is always directed toward the equilibrium
position and is given by

F=-kx

where k is the force constant and negative sign shows that force
opposes increase in x.
Example 1.2.1

A 5.00 kg block hung on a spring causes a 10.0 cm elongation of

the spring.

a.) What is the restoring force exerted on the block by the spring?
  >F restoring = Weight = mg = 5 (9.8) = 49 N
 b) What is the spring constant?
                                    77.7 = 490 x
> K = F/x = 49 / =
                                    x (.1.1586
m) = 490
m =N/m
15.86 cm
 c) What force is required to stretch this spring 8.5 cm horizontally?
             >F=kx = 490 (.085)=41.65 N
d) What will the spring’s elongation be when pulled by a force of
77.7 N?
              >  F= k x
Substitute the values for F and k,
77.7 = 490 x
1.3
     Wave
              medium
              x = .1586 m
x = 15.86 cm

Fans in the Stadium serve as

the medium in a stadium wave
 A medium is a substance or material that carries the wave.  The
wave medium is not the wave and it doesn't make the wave; it merely
carries or transports the wave from its source to other locations.

1.4 Categories of Waves

Waves come in many shapes and forms. One way of categorizing it is

on the basis of its ability or inability to transmit energy through a
vacuum.
Precaution!
 Electromagnetic wave- wave that is capable of transmitting its A wave transports
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energy through a vacuum. All light waves are examples of this bangiitang
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and not
type. matter.
 Mechanical wave- a type of wave that requires a medium in
order to transport energy from location to another. Sound
waves, slinky waves, water waves, stadium waves and jumping
rope waves belong to this type.

Another way to categorize waves is on the basis of the direction of

movement of the individual particles of the medium relative to the
direction that the waves travel.

 Transverse wave- a type of mechanical wave in which the

direction of propagation of particles in a medium is
perpendicular to the direction of the wave’s motion.
 Longitudinal wave- a type of mechanical wave in which the
direction of propagation of particles in a medium is parallel to
the direction of the wave’s motion.
 Surface wave- a type of mechanical wave which is a
combination of both transverse and longitudinal waves.

1.5 Anatomy of the two types of wave

 Anatomy of a Transverse wave
15.4 This is for odd pages

Figure 15.3 Disregard the subsection. Figure numbers will be co

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Anatomy of Longitudinal wave

The following terms and/or quantities will help to describe the

properties or anatomy of a mechanical wave:

 Crest- the point on the medium that has the greatest or

maximum upward displacement of the transverse wave
from the equilibrium position
 Trough- the point on the medium that has the lowest
downward displacement of the transverse wave from the
equilibrium position
 Compression- point on the medium that has the greatest
density and where the particles in a longitudinal wave are
pressed together.
 Rarefaction- point on the medium that has the least density
where the particles of a longitudinal wave are spread apart.
 Wavelength (λ)- length of one complete cycle. It is the
distance from crest to crest (or trough to trough)
 Amplitude-the distance of the crest (or trough) from the
mid-point of the wave.
Period (T)-
 Frequency (f)-the time
refers (in seconds)
to the number ofit takes
crests aorwave to (in
waves travel a
hertz)
distance
that equalpoint
pass a fixed to aper
wavelength
second. and is the reciprocal of
 frequency
wave speed (ν)- speed of the wave’s propagation and is equal
to the distance traveled by a wave crest in one period
 angular frequency (ὠ)- the frequency with which the phase of a
sinusoidal wave changes
 wave number (k)- propagation constant
  Fixed
1.6 Wave End Reflection- a reflection in which the end of a medium
Equations
is held fixed
1
 Period: T =
f
1
 Frequency: f =
T
λ
 Wave speed: ν = = λf
Example 1. 6.1 T
 Free end Reflection- a reflection in which the end of a mediumSi Isaac Newton usa ka
A swimmer notices that water wave crests pass his body bangiitang tawo.
every 6 second. Her estimate of the distance between two crest
is 4meter. How fast are the waves travelling?

Solution: From the equation: ν = λf

Substitute: ν = 4m(6 s−1 ) then, ν = 24 m/s

 Incident pulse- a pulse that is moving towards the boundary of
the medium
 Reflected pulse- a pulse that bounces back as the incident
pulse hits the boundary of the medium
Example 1.6.2 It’s all about light.
Characteristics of the transmitted and reflected pulses
If a light wave has a velocity of 3 x 108 m/s and a frequency of
6 x 10 14
 The cycles per second.
speed What is the
of the Reflected wavelength?
pulse is the same as the speed of
the incident pulse
Solution:
 The wavelength of the reflected pulse is the same as the
From the equation ν = λf
wavelength of the incident pulse
We amplitude
 the have, λ = ν/f
of the incident pulse is greater than that of the
reflected pulse
Substitute,
3 x 108 m/s
Finally, λthe
= boundary
14 −1 behavior of waves can be summarized by the
6 x 10 s
following
λ=principles:
5x10−7 m

 The wave speed is always greatest in the less dense medium

 The wave length is always greatest in the less dense medium
 The frequency of a wave of a wave is not altered by crossing a
boundary
 The of
1.7 Behavior reflected
wave pulse becomes inverted when a wave in a less
dense medium is heading toward a boundary with a denser
medium
 The amplitude of the incident pulse is always greater than the
amplitude of the reflected pulse
Transmission of a pulse across a boundary from less to more dense
Figure 15.3 Disregard the subsection. Figure numbers will b
medium

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Characteristics of the transmitted and reflected pulses:

 The transmitted pulse (in the denser medium) is travelling slower

than the reflected pulse (in the less dense medium).
 The transmitted pulse (in the denser medium) has a smaller
wavelength than the reflected pulse (in the less dense medium).
 The sped and the wavelength of the reflected pulse are the same as
the speed and the wavelength of the incident pulse

Transmission of a pulse across a boundary from more to less dense

medium

Precaution!

Speed of a wave
is dependent
with the
medium. Thus,
two pulses in
the same
Characteristics of the transmitted and reflected pulses: medium will
have the same
 The transmitted pulse (in the less dense medium) is travelling faster
speed.
than the reflected pulse (in the denser medium).
 The transmitted pulse (in the less dense medium) has a larger wave
length than the reflected pulse (in the denser medium).
 The speed and the wavelength of the reflected pulse are the same
as the speed and the wavelength of the incident pulse.
 Si Isaac Newton usa ka
bangiitang tawo.
Figure 15.3 Disregard the subsection. Figure numbers will
Reflection, refraction and diffraction are all boundary behaviors of
waves associated with the bending of the path of wave. The bending of
the path is an observable behavior when the medium is a two- or three-
dimensional medium.
Figure 15.3 Disregard the subsection. Figure numbers wi
 Reflection of waves-involves a change in direction of waves when
they bounce off a barrier.

 Refraction of waves- involves a change in the direction of

waves as they pass from one medium to another.

 Diffraction of waves-involves a change in direction of waves as

it pass through
1.8 Reflection, an opening
Refraction, or around a barrier in its path.
and Diffraction
Type of interference

 Constructive interference- is a type of interference that occurs at

any location along the medium where the two interfering waves
have a displacement in the same direction. The resultant
displacement is greater than the displacement of the two
interfering pulses.

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bangiitang tawo.

Constructive interference

 Destructive Interference- is a type of interference that occurs at any

Precaution!
location along the medium where the two interfering waves have a
displacement in the opposite direction.

1.9 Interference of Waves

Wave interference is the phenomenon that occurs when two waves

Destructive Interference
meet while travelling along the same medium. The interference of waves
The superposition Principle
causes the medium to take on a shape that results from the net effect of
Tothe two individual
determine wavesofupon
the shape the particles
the resultant andofeven
the medium.
the complete shape of
the entire medium during the interference the principle of superposition
must be applied. The superposition principle maybe stated as:

When two waves interfere, the resulting displacement of the

medium at any location is the algebraic sum of the displacements
of the individual waves at the same direction.
 Precaution!

The two
interfering
waves do not
need to have
equal
amplitudes in
opposite
directions for
destructive
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tawo. to

FYI
Sample computation in adding waves interfering with each other applying
Specific information
the Superposition principle
about stars within
galaxies can be
Displacement of Pulse 1 Displacement of pulse Resulting Displacement
determined
2
through the
+1 +1 +2 application of
-1 -1 -2 Doppler Effect.
+1 -1 0 Electromagnetic
+1 -2 -1 radiation emitted
by such stars in a
distant galaxy
1.10 The Doppler Effect would appear to be
shifted downward
Suppose that there is a bug in the center of a in frequency (a red
circular water puddle. The bug is periodically shift) if the star is
rotating in its
shaking its leg in order to produce disturbances
cluster in a
that travel through the water. If these disturbances originate at a point, then direction that is
they would travel outward from that point in away from the
all directions. Since each disturbance is traveling in earth. On the other
the same medium, they would all travel in every hand, there is an
upward shift in
direction at the same speed and at the same frequency.
frequency (a blue
Now suppose the bug is moving to the right shift) of such
across the puddle of water and producing observed radiation
disturbances at the same frequency. In this case, if the star is
rotating in a
each consecutive disturbance has a farther
direction that is
distance to travel before reaching the left side of towards the earth.
the puddle, thus, take longer time and higher
frequency to reach the side. On the other hand,
each consecutive disturbance has a shorter distance to travel the right side
of the puddle, thus, take less time and lesser frequency to reach the side.
This effect is known as Doppler Effect.
1.12 Mathematics of Standing waves
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For standing wave patterns, there is a clear mathematical relationship betweenbangiitang tawo.
the length of a string and the wavelength of the wave that creates the pattern.
The mathematical relationship simply emerges from the inspection of the pattern
and the understanding that each loop in the pattern is equivalent to one-half of a
wavelength. The general equation that describes the length-wavelength
relationship for any harmonic is:
n
nth Harmonic: L= λ
2
Other important equations:
2L
λn =
n
V 2V
fn = =n
λn L
n = 1,2,3,…
1.11showing
Table Travelling
the waves
first to and Standing pattern:
nth Harmonic waves
Precaution!
 Travelling wave- a type of wave pattern that travels along a medium
Length-Wavelength At the nodes,
Harmonic Pattern
 Standing wave- a type of wave# that
of Loops
does not travel along a medium
Relationship destructive
interference occurs
1st 1 L = 1 / 2 • λ while constructive
interference occurs
2nd 2 L = 2 / 2 • λ at the antinodes.

Standing wave Travelling wave FYI

3rd 3 L = 3 / 2 • λ
 nodes- points on a standing wave pattern that do not move Nodes are points of
4th 4 pattern where L =
Antinodes- points on a standing wave the 4amplitude
/ 2 • λ no des-placement.
No-des!!
is greatest.
5th 5 L = 5 / 2 • λ

6th 6 L = 6 / 2 • λ

 
 Wave is a disturbance moving through a medium.

Simple Harmonic pattern- refers to the motion of an oscillating

object that demonstrates Hooke’s law.

Transverse wave is a wave in which particles of the medium move in

a direction perpendicular to the direction that the wave moves.

Longitudinal wave is a wave in which particles of the medium move Si Isaac Newton usa ka
bangiitang tawo.
in a direction parallel to the direction that the wave moves.

Electromagnetic wave is a wave that is capable of transmitting its

energy through a vacuum (i.e., empty space).

Mechanical wave is a wave that is not capable of transmitting its

energy through a vacuum. 

Compression is a point on a medium through which a longitudinal

wave is traveling that has the maximum density.

Rarefaction is a point on a medium through which a longitudinal

wave is traveling that has the minimum density.

Transmitted pulse is the disturbance that continues moving as it

encounters another medium.

KEY POINTS
 Test I. Encircle the letter of the answer of your choice (1 point each).

1.1 A spring has a restoring force of 320 N when it is stretched 22.1 cm.  What is the
spring's constant k in N/m? 
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a. 1.45 N/m c. 145 N/m bangiitang tawo.

b. 14.5 N/m d. 0.145 N/m

 1.2 Which of the following is not a characteristic of mechanical wave?

a. they are created by a vibrating source

b. they transport energy

c. they travel in a direction that is at right angles to the direction of the particles
of the medium

d. they consist of disturbances or oscillations of a medium

1.3 A frequency of 5.0 hertz corresponds to a period of _____seconds.

a. 0.02 c. 0.2

b. 0.05 d. 0.5

1.4 Two waves are travelling through a container of an inert gas. Wave A has an
References:amplitude of 99mm. Wave B has an amplitude of 198mm. The energy transported by
wave
Acaba, KarlBJoy
must
C, be _______the
et.al. energy
Lecture Note in transported
Introductoryby wave A.
Physics II. October 2012 Edition.
a. one-fourth c. one-half
Cordero-Navaza,Delia, et al. Physics Textbook. 2 nd Edition.
b. four times larger d. two times larger
Waves. The Physics Classroom. www.physicsclassroom.com. July 30,2014
1.5 As the wavelength of a wave in a uniform medium increases, its frequency will_____.

a. increase c. remain the same

b. decrease d. cannot be determined

Unit 1 Exercises
Test II. Problem solving. Provide a neat solution of your answer at the back (5 points).
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ____________________
1.6 Ocean waves are observed to travel along the water surface during a developing
Class Schedule: _________________________ Instructor: _____________________________
storm. A coast Guard weather station observes that there is a vertical distance from high
point to low point of 9.2 meters and a horizontal distance of 17.2 meters between
adjacent crests. The waves splash into the station once every 12.4 seconds. Determine
the frequency and the speed of these Waves.
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