Vibrations and Waves: Rapid Learning Center

College Physics Tutorial Series - 19
Rapid Learning Center

Chemistry :: Biology :: Physics :: Math
Rapid Learning Center Presenting …
Teach Yourself
College Physics in 24 Hours
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Vibrations and Waves
Rapid Learning Core Tutorial Series
Wayne Huang, Ph.D.

Keith Duda, M.Ed.
Peddi Prasad, Ph.D. Rapid Learning Center
Gary Zhou, Ph.D. www.RapidLearningCenter.com/
Kelly Deters, M.A. © Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
Michelle Wedemeyer, Ph.D.
© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 1

Objectives
By completing this tutorial, you will:
learn the basic
principles of simple
harmonic motion
(SHM).
be able to distinguish
different types of waves
and understand their
characteristics.
understand and apply
the principle of
superposition.
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Motion
Motion
Further we shall restrict to
Periodic
PeriodicMotion
Motion Translational
Translationalmotion
motion
Variable
Variableperiod
period
Fixed
Fixedperiod
period
Non-
Non-Harmonic
Harmonicmotion
motion
Harmonic
HarmonicMotion
Motion
Wave
Wave Motion
Motion
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Simple Harmonic Motion
Simple harmonic motion can be seen in a

variety of places. This section will
describe characteristics of this motion.
5/63
Vibrations and Periodic Motion

Recall that motion is change in the position of a body
with respect to time.
v
Motion is classified into
SUPPORT
Linear or translational motion
Displacement
Rotational or Circular motion v

light cordAv
Vibration or oscillatory motion
B
The last two types of motion
can be classified under
periodic motion Time
6/63

Examples of Periodic Motion

Revolution of the Planets around the Sun
Revolution of the Moon around the Earth
Oscillations of a spring
A swinging pendulum
SUPPORT
Sun or
Earth
light cord
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SHM
S imple
Harmonic
Motion
8/63

Vibration
Displacement (x)
O
X X
z
P
Vibration :- When a body in periodic motion moves

back and forth along the same path the motion is
called oscillatory motion or vibratory motion.
Vibratory motion is
periodic motion
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Directions of SHM
Displacement (x)
O
X X
z
P
Acceleration (a)
A body is moving to and fro about ‘O’

‘x’ is the displacement at an instant
away from ‘O’.
‘a’ is the acceleration towards ‘O’
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Equilibrium Position (O)

The Equilibrium position (O) of
the body is when the resultant
force on the body is zero
Displacement (x)
O
X X
z
P
Acceleration (a)
“O” is called “Mean Position”

or “Average Position”
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Simple Harmonic Motion

Displacement (x)
O
X X
z
P
Acceleration (a)
Acceleration (a) α - displacement (x)
a α –x “α” means is
proportional to
Force is proportional to displacement too.

F α –x
F= –kx
k is a factor called the force constant that
describes the amount of force needed for some
displacement.
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Displacement and Amplitude
Displacement (x)
The change in the position of a body at any instant in
time.
Amplitude( A or r)
The maximum displacement of the body from the
mean position during a vibration.
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Time Period
Displacement
O (x)
X X
z
P
Acceleration (a)
Time Period (T)

The time taken by a body to complete one vibration
or oscillation i.e. start from O displacement to X
reach back to O displacement then to -X reach back
to O.
14/63

Frequency
Displacement (x)
O
X X
z
P
Acceleration (a)
Frequency (f): The number of oscillations

completed in a unit time. Frequency is the
reciprocal of Time period. 1 vibration per second = 1
Hertz, Hz.
Frequency
refers to “how
f = 1/T
often” an event
occurs
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Frequency Check
If you double the frequency of a vibrating object,
what happens to the period?
the period doubles
the period stays the same
the period is cut in half
not enough information is given
How many vibrations per second comes from a 60-Hz

wave? 60 cycles per second
What is its period? 1/60 second

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Angular Frequency
One revolution = 2π radian
Angular Frequency (ω)

The angular frequency ‘ω’ and the period of
oscillation ‘T’ are related by the equation
2π
ω= −
Τ
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Phase
Displacement (x)
O
X X
z
P
Acceleration (a)
The state of vibration at any given instant is

determined by the phase.
The displacement ‘x’ at instant ‘t’ seconds is given by
X = A sin (ωt + φ)
Amplitude Angular Time Phase

frequency constant
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Unit Check
What are the correct units for each quantity?
Frequency Hertz
Period Seconds
Angular frequency Radians/sec
Amplitude Meters
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UCM
Uniform
C ircular
Motion
Do you Know?
Projection of a body in uniform circular
motion of any diameter executes SHM
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Displacement of a Body in UCM

Consider a body moving
along a circle of radius 'r'
As the body ‘P’ moves along
the circle it executes SHM
along the y axis
r
Displacement:
y= r sin ωt (as θ = ωt)
Radius Angular Time

frequency
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Projection of UCM Executes SHM

When a body is in UCM, its projection on any
diameter executes SHM. Y displacement is
y= r sin ωt
Acceleration is rω2 sin ωt

along PM
acceleration = rω2 sin ωt

= (-y) ω2
22/63

Velocity of a Body in SHM

Velocity of 'N' = component of velocity 'v' parallel
to yy'
= v cosθ
=rω cosθ
∴v = r ω cos ωt
If displacement 'ON' = y, then
v= ω√ ( r2 – y2)
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K.E. and P.E. of a Body in SHM

Therefore v= ω√ ( r2 – y2)
The kinetic energy of the body is
KE = ½ m v 2
KE = ½ mω2(r2-y2)
The potential energy of the body is

PE=mgh After a somewhat
lengthy derivation,
PE = ½ mω2(y2) this result is
obtained.
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Total Energy of a body in SHM

The total energy (TE) of a body in SHM is the sum of
PE and KE energy of the body is
TE = KE + PE Formula for KE and
PE from previous
tutorials
TE = ½ mv2 + m g h
TE = ½ mω2(r2-y2) + ½ mω2(y2)
TE = ½ mω2(r2)
This is the expression for the Total Energy of the body

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Simple Pendulum
Simple Pendulum - A simple pendulum is an
idealized system consisting of a bob of point
mass. It is suspended from a rigid support
through a light cord.
SUPPORT
light cord
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Simple Pendulum-2
Even a simple swinging pendulum has
characteristics in common with waves.
The pendulum on a
grandfather clock has a
particular frequency, period,
amplitude, etc.
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Simple Pendulum-Time Period

It may surprise you to know that the period of a
pendulum has nothing to do with its mass.
It depends only on the length of the pendulum,

and the acceleration from gravity at that particular
location.
Length of
l pendulum, m
T = 2π
g
Acceleration
Period, s from gravity,
m/s2
28/63

One Second Period

What length pendulum would be needed to have
a 1.0 second period.
Square both sides, then do some algebraic

manipulation to solve for the length.
l l gT 2
T = 2π T = 4π
2 2
=l
g g 4π 2
Substitute and calculate carefully.
9.8m/s 2 (1.0s)2
l=
4(3.14) 2
l = .25m
29/63
Spring Oscillations Are SHM

A mass attached to a free end of a spring vibrates
or oscillates in a similar manner to a pendulum.
Mass, kg
m
T = 2π
m k Force
constant
mentioned
earlier,
Period, s kg/s2.
30/63

Free and Forced Vibrations

Characteristics of the natural frequency of a body:
A body is set into vibration and then left to
itself
What happens ?
It vibrates…
These vibrations are natural or free vibrations
This frequency is called “The natural
frequency of the body”
31/63
Resonance
When two bodies are in Resonance:
Natural
frequency = Input
rapid transfer frequency
of energy
during body vibrates with
resonance max. amplitude
The 1940 collapse of the Tacoma bridge due to

32/63 resonance

Examples of Resonance
Six simple pendulums of the

A B
same material are suspended.
The lengths of the colored pairs
are equal.
One green is set into oscillation
– all pairs vibrate a bit and stop
except the green pair.
The two green ones continue to
vibrate in resonance since they
have the same natural frequency.
33/63
More Examples of resonance

Two tuning forks A and B of equal natural
frequencies can vibrate in resonance
Resonating tuning forks

A B
If a small piece of wax (RED) is attached to the fork

A, its frequency slightly decreases.
Then fork B will not vibrate since its frequency is
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now slightly different.

Wave Motion
You have probably seen ripples of

water hitting the shoreline, this is an
example of wave motion.
35/63
Waves
Electromagnetic wave
Electric and magnetic waves perpendicular to
each other propagating in a direction
perpendicular to their plane
36/63
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Types of Wave Propagation
“Continuous waves” that go v

on forever in each direction!
PROGRESSIVE WAVES
We can also have “pulses”

v
caused by a brief
disturbance of the medium
v
And “pulse trains” which are
somewhere in between.
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Mechanical Waves
A mechanical wave is just a disturbance that
propagates through a medium.
The medium could be air, water, a spring, the Earth,

or even people.
A medium is any material through which a wave

travels.
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Types of Mechanical Waves
The particles in the

medium can vibrate in two
different ways
A parallel direction to the

wave propagation
Or perpendicular
direction to the wave
propagation
Or a combination of the
above two types
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Longitudinal, Transverse Waves

Longitudinal wave
particle vibration: parallel to the
direction of propagation of the
wave.
Transverse wave
particle vibration: Perpendicular to
the direction of propagation of the
wave.
40/63

Examples - Transverse & Longitudinal Waves
Transverse waves on a string or rope.
Longitudinal sound waves
41/63
Same Phase Question

The diagram below shows a progressing wave.
Which two points are in the same phase?
A and C
They both show the same
A and D relative position on the
wave.
B and C
C and D
42/63

Transverse Waves
The particles of the medium are displaced in a
direction perpendicular to the wave propagation
A transverse wave can be created in a rope
The transverse wave would look like the one in the

diagram
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Transverse Crests and Troughs

A C E
Equilibrium or
rest position
B D
When a disturbance is introduced the particles begin
to vibrate.
Points A,C, and E - crests of this wave.

Crest - maximum amount of positive or
upwards displacement from the rest position
Points B and D - troughs of this wave.

Trough - maximum amount of negative or
44/63
downwards displacement from the rest position.

Wavelength-Transverse waves
If you were to trace your finger across the wave in

the diagram above, you would notice that your
finger repeats its path.
The wavelength of a wave is simply the length of

one complete wave cycle. Distance from crest to
crest or from trough to trough
45/63
Compressions & Rarefactions
The particles are moved to create a longitudinal wave.
A compression - region which has the maximum

density , points A and C
A rarefaction - region which has the minimum density,

points B and D.
46/63

Wave Speed Equation
Wave velocity = Frequency x Wavelength
v = fλ
Wave Frequency, Wavelength,

speed, m/s Hz m
This generic wave formula applies to all types of

waves.
47/63
Wave Speed Example

You may have used a 900 MHz cordless phone.
These waves travel at the speed of light, 3 x 108 m/s.
What is the period and wavelength of these cordless

phone waves?
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Wave Speed Solution
To get the wavelength:

Convert MHz
v= λ f into Hz.
1 MHz=106Hz
3 x 108 m/s = λ (9 x108 Hz)
λ = .33 m
To get the period:

T = 1/f Use period and
frequency
T = 1/ (9 x 108 Hz) relationship
T =1.1 x 10-9 sec
49/63
Behavior of Waves at a Boundary

The behavior of a wave (or pulse) upon reaching the
end of a medium is referred to as boundary behavior.
Incident wave
Reflection of waves at a boundary: when a wave is

progressing towards a fixed end it gets inverted.
Fixed end reflection
50/63

Reflection of a Wave at a Fixed End
If a crest is incident towards a fixed end boundary, it

will reflect and return as a trough. The wave is
reflected inverted!
This occurs when the wave reflects off a more

dense medium.
more
dense
medium
51/63
Reflection of a Pulse at a Free End

A pulse is moving through a rope free to move at its
end.
The pulse reflects off the free end and returns –

Direction of displacement will be same.
Direction of displacement will be same whenever a

pulse reflects off a free end or from a less dense
medium.
52/63

Interference
The topic of wave interference deals with the
superposition of two or more waves along the same
medium.
This is also called the principle of

superposition.
53/63
Combining Waves
Wave interference is the phenomenon which occurs
when two waves superpose while traveling along the
same medium.
The interference of waves causes the medium to

take on a shape which results from the net effect of
the two individual waves upon the particles of the
medium.
In this area, the

waves overlap, or
interfere.
54/63

Illustration of Interference
Two waves of the same amplitude are traveling in
different directions along the same medium.
Amplitude of each crest +1 unit and has the shape

of a sine wave.
At an instant of time they are completely

overlapped
At that moment, the resulting shape is a sine crest

with an amplitude of +2 units.
55/63
Constructive Interference
Before interference
Interference occurs at any location along the

medium where the two interfering waves coexist.
During Interference
Resultant amplitude = algebraic sum of the

amplitudes of the two interfering waves
56/63

Destructive Interference
Before interference
Interference occurs at any location along the

medium where the two interfering waves coexist.
During Interference
The resultant amplitude in this case will be ZERO

57/63
Unequal Amplitude Interference

The two interfering waves do not need to have equal
amplitudes in opposite directions for destructive
interference to occur.
Before interference
During Interference
The resulting wave has a slightly negative

amplitude.
58/63

Standing/Stationary Waves
Stationary wave: When two waves of the same

amplitude and wavelength are moving in opposite
directions, they superpose upon each other and a
stationary wave is formed.
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Nodes and Antinodes
NODE (N): Points of minimum displacement in the

medium.
Antinodes (AN): Points of maximum displacement

in the medium.
Standing wave with

nodes and antinodes.
60/63

Summary
Transverse
Transverse
Wave
Wave wave
Frequency
Frequency == wave vibrate
vibrate
superposition
superposition perpendicular
waves/sec
waves/sec perpendicular
adds
adds waves
waves wave
wave motion.
motion.
together
together to
to Longitudinal
Period
Period == time/1
time/1 Longitudinal
produce
produce aa vibrates
wave
wave vibration
vibration vibrates along.
along.
sum
sum wave.
wave.
Wave Period
Period for
for pendulum
pendulum and
and
Wave speed
speed
formula: spring:
spring:
formula:
l m
V=fλ
V=fλ T = 2π T = 2π
g k
61/63
Congratulations
You have successfully completed

the tutorial

62/63


Chemistry :: Biology :: Physics :: Math
What’s Next …
Step 1: Concepts – Core Tutorial (Just Completed)

Æ Step 2: Practice – Interactive Problem Drill
Step 3: Recap – Super Review Cheat Sheet
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College Physics Tutorial Series - 19

Rapid Learning Center

Rapid Learning Center Presenting …

Vibrations and Waves

Rapid Learning Core Tutorial Series

Wayne Huang, Ph.D.

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 1

Vibrations and Waves

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 2

Simple Harmonic Motion

Simple harmonic motion can be seen in a

Vibrations and Periodic Motion

Rotational or Circular motion v

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 3

Examples of Periodic Motion

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 4

Vibration :- When a body in periodic motion moves

A body is moving to and fro about ‘O’

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 5

Equilibrium Position (O)

“O” is called “Mean Position”

Simple Harmonic Motion

Acceleration (a) α - displacement (x)

Force is proportional to displacement too.

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 6

Displacement and Amplitude

Time Period (T)

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 7

Frequency (f): The number of oscillations

the period doubles

the period stays the same

the period is cut in half

not enough information is given

How many vibrations per second comes from a 60-Hz

What is its period? 1/60 second

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 8

Angular Frequency (ω)

The state of vibration at any given instant is

Amplitude Angular Time Phase

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 9

Angular frequency Radians/sec

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 10

Displacement of a Body in UCM

Radius Angular Time

Projection of UCM Executes SHM

Acceleration is rω2 sin ωt

acceleration = rω2 sin ωt

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 11

Velocity of a Body in SHM

K.E. and P.E. of a Body in SHM

The potential energy of the body is

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 12

Total Energy of a body in SHM

This is the expression for the Total Energy of the body

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 13

Simple Pendulum-Time Period

It depends only on the length of the pendulum,

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 14

One Second Period

Square both sides, then do some algebraic

Substitute and calculate carefully.

Spring Oscillations Are SHM

© Rapid Learning Inc. All rights reserved. - http://www.RapidLearningCenter.com 15

Six simple pendulums of the

“Continuous waves” that go v

We can also have “pulses”

The medium could be air, water, a spring, the Earth,

A medium is any material through which a wave

The particles in the

A parallel direction to the

Transverse waves on a string or rope.

Longitudinal sound waves

A transverse wave can be created in a rope

The transverse wave would look like the one in the

Points A,C, and E - crests of this wave.

Points B and D - troughs of this wave.

If you were to trace your finger across the wave in

The wavelength of a wave is simply the length of

Amplitude of each crest +1 unit and has the shape

At an instant of time they are completely

At that moment, the resulting shape is a sine crest