CHAPTER 1 : WAVES

1.1 UNDERSTANDING WAVES

1. A wave is a disturbance or variation that

propagates through a medium and it
transfer energy.

2. Types of Waves
i) Transverse Waves
- is a wave where the particles of the
medium vibrate perpendicular to the
direction of wave propagation.
- Example: Light wave, water wave

ii) Longitudinal Waves

- is a wave where the particles vibrate
parallel to the direction of wave
propagation.
- Example: Sound Wave

4. Wavelength, λ
- is defined as the distance between two
successive crest or through of the waves.

3. Wavefront
- is a line that joins all the points vibrating
in-phase.
- it always perpendicular to the direction
of wave.
* Two vibrating particles are in the same
phase if their displacement and direction
of motion are the same.
5. Wave Graphs

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i) Displacement-Time Graph 6. Wave speed, v

v=λf

7. Natural Frequency, fo
- is the frequency of a system when there
is no external force acting on it.

8. Damping
- is a process of losing of energy to the
surrounding.
- During damping, amplitude also decreases.
- From this graph, we can find amplitude, - Usually the frequency of the system
period and frequency of the wave. remain unchanged.
- Amplitude (a) is the maximum
displacement from the equilibrium/ rest
position.
The higher the amplitude, the higher the
energy o the waves.
- Period (T) is the time taken for one
complete oscillation or wave.
- Frequency (f) is the number of complete
oscillation or wave in one second. 9. Resonance
1 - occurs when a system is forced to
f =
T oscillate at its natural frequency
- Example:
i) Opera singer breaks wine glass with her
ii) Displacement-Distance Graph voice due to the effect of resonance.
ii) Tacoma Narrow Bridge collapsed
because of the effect of resonance. The
bridge is moving because the wind is
matching to the bridge’s natural
frequency.
iii) Resonance can be used to tune radio or
TV to your favourite channel.
*Discuss the diagram below:

- From this graph, we can find amplitude

and wavelength of the waves.

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 Ripple Tank

1.2 REFLECTION OF WAVES

1. Laws of Reflection
- Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection

i=r
- Normal, incident and reflected rays rae
on the same plane.

2. During reflection,
- Ripple tank is used to study the
- The direction of wave changes
phenomena of waves in laboratory.
- The wavelength, frequency and speed of
wave unchanged.
- Plane waves
- The amplitude of the wave may or may
not change (depend on the material of the
reflector)

3. Applications

i) SONAR (Sound Navigating and Ranging)

- Circular waves

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 Frequency Unchanged

i)

- is used to locate position of an object by

measuring the time taken by an echo to
return to the ultrasonic wave source.

ii) Reflection of Sound Wave ii)

1.3 REFRACTION OF WAVES

1.4 DIFFRACTION OF WAVES

1. Refraction is the change in direction of

1. Diffraction is the spreading of wave as it
propagation when a wave caused by the
goes through a slit or around an obstacle.
change of the speed as they pass through
different medium.
2. After diffraction, amplitude decreases.
So when amplitude decrease, energy
2. For water waves, refraction occurs when
decreases.
waves move from one region to another
region of different depth.
3. Wavelength and frequency remain
unchanged.
3. Based on the table below, try yourself to
draw the pattern of wave after refraction.
4. The effect of diffraction is obvious only if
the size of slit or obstacle is small.

i) Small slit and big slit

Deep water Shallow water

Speed Faster Slower
Wavelength Bigger Shorter ii) Small obstacle and big obstacle

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 Or

3. Applications

Sea walls in a harbour jetty

ii) Destructive Interference

- Strong wall is built to protect the boat

from damage caused by strong waves.
- When strong waves rush towards the wall,
some of the waves will reflected and
diffract through the slits.

1.5 INTERFERENCE OF WAVES

1. Interference is the superposition of two

5.Diagram below shows two coherent source
coherent waves.
overlap to each other.

2. Two waves are coherent if they are of the

same frequency and same phase.

3. Principle of Superposition
- states that when two waves overlap, the
resultant displacement is equal to the
sum of the displacements of the
individual wave.

4. Two types of interference

i) Constructive Interference
- Antinodal line is a line joining all the
(When crest meet crest or trough meet
constructive interference.
trough)
- Nodal line is a line joining all the
destructive interference.

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6. Formula

ax
λ= D

5. Loudness
- the bigger the amplitude, the louder the
sound.

6. Pitch
- The higher the frequency, the higher the
pitch.

1.6 SOUND WAVES

1. Sound wave s are longitudinal waves. 7. Refraction of Sound Waves

- Sound waves travel faster in warm air
2. It travel faster in solid compare to liquid than in cold air.
and gas. But cannot travel in vacuum.

3. Sound is produced by vibrations ie, turning

fork, guitar and speaker.

4. Example: Speaker
- The vibrating cone of speaker
- On a hot day, the hot surface of the
continuously compresses and stretches
Earth causes the layer of air near the
the air molecules.
surface to be warmer.
- This makes a series of compression and
So sound waves is refracted away from
rarefaction.
Earth.
- On a cool night, the sound waves travel
slower in the cooler layer of air near the
surface of Earth than the upper air. SO

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 the waves are refracted towards the
Earth.
That’s why, sound can be heard over a
longer distance on a cold night compare
to a hot day.

8.Diffraction of Sound Waves

2. Properties of EM Wave.
- Can transfer energy
- Transverse wave
- Can travel through vacuum (do not require
medium)
- Travel at speed of light, c
- Undergo all phenomena of wave

3. EM Wave Spectrum
- The student is able to hear the sound of
the radio although it is behind the wall. 4. How to remember EM Waves?
- It is because the sound of the radio Real Men In Violet
spreads around the corner of the wall due
to diffraction of sound. 5. Sources & Uses

i) Radio Waves
Sources: Electrons oscillating in aerials
(Radio/TV)
Uses: Broadcasting and wireless
1.7 LIGHT WAVES
communication.
ii) Microwaves
Can refer to all phenomenon of waves and Sources: Radar transmitter/ Oven
light chapter. Uses: communication system satellites,
cooking, cellular phone service.
 Young Double Slit experiment (page )
iii) Infra red
Sources: Hot object (flame/sun)
Uses: Thermal imaging and physiotherapy.
1.8 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
Remote control for TV.

1. Consists of vibration perpendicular of iv) Visible Light

magnetic and electric fields. Sources: Flames, lamps, sun.
Uses: Visual communication, photography,
photosynthesis.

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v) Ultraviolet Rays
Sources: Sun, mercury vapour lamp
Uses: Cause sunburn, fluorescent lamp,
sterilization of surgical tools.

vi) X-Rays
Sources: X-ray tube
Uses: Cancer treatment, detect crack in
metals, checking of luggage at airports, x
ray organs at hospital.

vii) Gamma Rays

Sources: Radioactive substances
Uses: To detect leakages in underground
pipes. Cancer treatment. Use as tracers to
locate tumors.
Eg: Gamma knife surgery