Properties of waves Compiled By: Manzar Ali Khan

Wave Provides a mode of transportation of energy Transverse Waves

It provides a mechanism for the transfer of energy from one point to The direction of vibration of the particles of the medium is
another without the Physical transfer of material medium itself. perpendicular to the direction of motion of the wave.
Wave Motion
A continuous Wave can be created in a stretched string if the free end is
given a continuous “Up and Down” or “Backward and Forward” Motion.

Example: All electromagnetic radiation, e.g. Light, Ripples on water,

Waves on strings, slinky that is waved up and down or Right and Left.
Longitudinal Waves
The direction of vibration of the particles of the medium is parallel to
the direction of motion of the wave.
Properties of Wave
1. Wave carries energy away from the source and each point in the
rope moves ‘Up and down’ as energy passes through them.
2. The wave moves with a constant speed in the medium as speed
depends on the medium and not the source.
3. Each particle is displaced through a small distance before it comes
back to its original position i.e. no permanent displacement. Continuous Waves
4. Amplitude may decrease as energy is lost.
The pattern it produces at any instant is called a “Wave form”
The wave form of a continuous Transverse wave if plotted on a graph is
“Sine Curve”.

Cr
est and Troughs: The peaks of the wave are called Crests and the lower
portions are called Troughs.
Amplitude(x₀): The maximum displacement of the particle from the
rest or equilibrium position on either side. S.I unit is meter (m).

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 Properties of waves Compiled By: Manzar Ali Khan

Phase: Two points are said to be in phase, if they are moving in the
same direction with same speed and have same displacement from the
rest position. Phase difference between points on the wave
Wavelength (λ): Shortest distance between two successive particles in
phase is a called Wavelength. S.I. unit is meter.
Displacement Time Graph

Phase difference between points on the wave

Oscillation: One Complete to and fro motion is called Oscillation.

Time period (T) :Time taken to produce one complete oscillation is
called “Period”. S.I unit is Second.
Frequency (f): Number of oscillations per second 360⁰ =2π radians, 180⁰= π radians
f = 1/T unit is Hertz (Hz) π
Phase difference between O and A= 90⁰ or radians
Wave Speed (v) : Distance travelled by energy in one second. 2
d Wavelegth Phase difference between O and B= 180⁰ or π radians.
v= t = period Phase difference between O and C= 270⁰ or
3π
radians
2
λ Phase difference between O and D= 360⁰or2 π radians
v = T = f λ (m/s) Phase difference between A and C= 180⁰ or π radians.
Phase difference between any two points
Relation of Wave motion and Angles
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 Properties of waves Compiled By: Manzar Ali Khan

x
Phase Difference of 180⁰
Phase difference of 1 wavelength λ = 2 π radians
Phase difference of x cm
2π
∅ = λ x
Phase difference between waves

Phase Difference of 45⁰ (Lag)

∆x
2π
∅= ∆x
λ Phase Difference of 45⁰ (Lead)
Phase difference between two waves
Lead by 90⁰

Lag by 90⁰

Aitchison College Lahore, LGS –JT, LGS Phase 5 and Phase 1, CITY School, LACAS and SICAS
 Properties of waves Compiled By: Manzar Ali Khan
3. They do not require any medium to travel i.e. they can travel in
Wave Equation vacuum.
4. They obey laws of reflection and refraction.
5. They obey wave equation v = fλ
6. They can be absorbed and emitted by matter.
7. They transfer energy from one point to another.
8. They carry energy given by E = h f =hc/ λ
9. When they enter from one medium to another e.g. air to glass,
2π
x = x o Sin θ, θ =ω t= T t their frequency remains same but their speed and wavelength
2π 2π changes.
x = x o Sin t, T = 4s x = x o Sin 4 t 10. They carry no charge, thus they are not affected by Electric or
T
Intensity: Energy falling per second per unit area Magnetic Field.
Energy J 11. They consist of oscillating Electric and Magnetic fields at right
I = Area xTime = angle to each other
s m2
I α (Amplitude) 2 I₀ = K x₀2 I α f2
(i) X=2x₀
I=K (2x₀)2 I= 4(K x₀2) =4I₀
(ii) f = 2f₀
I=K (2f₀)2 I =4(K f₀2) =4I₀
(iii) I =2I₀ kx2 = 2 kx₀2, x2 = 2 x₀2 x = √2 x₀
2 4 4 Polarization
iv) X= 3 x₀ I = 9 Kx₀2= 9 I₀ Only Transverse waves can be polarized
Polarized wave has direction of vibration only in one direction
Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves perpendicular to the direction of motion of the wave.

1. They are Transverse waves.

2. They travel with the speed of 3 x 108 m/s in vacuum and
slowdown in any other medium e.g. Glass, water etc.

Aitchison College Lahore, LGS –JT, LGS Phase 5 and Phase 1, CITY School, LACAS and SICAS
 Properties of waves Compiled By: Manzar Ali Khan

Aitchison College Lahore, LGS –JT, LGS Phase 5 and Phase 1, CITY School, LACAS and SICAS