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Wave Motion
Introduction to Wave Motion
Last updated date: 16th Jan 2023 + Total views: 257.1k + Views today: 6.55k
There cannot be a better introduction of wave motion than comprehending it with the help of an
example. At some point in time, we all have viewed the ripples formation during the time a small
pebble (stone) has dropped inside a pond. The creation of disturbances by this stone within the
water leads to producing ripples that get outwards towards the ponds shore.
When you start examining the motion of the leaf that is floating somewhere near to this
disturbance for a shorter duration through a stable day, you will notice that this leaf starts
moving upward and downward about its genuine position. But, it is interesting to notice here
that it does not go towards the disturbance source. This shows water wave disturbance goes
from a single place to another (here the water does not flow with it). The particles of water go
upward and downward in the mean positions.
The transfer of energy and momentum from a point in a medium to another point in the medium
without the actual transfer of matter between the points is defined as wave motion. In other
words, it can be described as the propagation of disturbances through a medium that originates
due to repeated vibrations of the particles about their mean positions. The disturbance is
produced by the waves as the function of the time and this function is called the wave function.
It may be the displacement of particles in the case of string and maybe a variation of pressure
or density in the case of sound waves.
(Image Will be Uploaded Soon)
Example - Electromagnetic Waves
Classification of Wave Motion
Wave motion has been classified on the various basis:Lear UNE Online
On the basis of mode of propagation:
1. Mechanical Waves- The waves that require a medium to travel are called mechanical
waves. These are further classified as:
»
Transverse Wave- For a transverse wave, the particle vibrates perpendicular to
the direction of propagation
=
Longitudinal Wave- For longitudinal waves, the particle vibrates in the direction of
propagation
9
Standing Waves- The waves that do not transfer energy and momentum from one
point to another.
o
Progressive Wave- The wave that transfers energy and momentum.
2. Non - Mechanical Waves- The waves that do not require a medium are called non-
mechanical waves.
On the basis of the number of dimensions:
1. 1-D - The waves that propagate energy in only one direction.
2. 2-D - The waves that propagate eneray In two directions.
3. 3-D - The waves that propagate energy in three directions.
On the basis of the transfer of energy:
1. Standing waves.
2. Progressive waves.
Periodic and Non - Periodic Wave
Periodic Waves- If the pattern of a wave is repeated after one wavelength or a single time
period and has the same pattern throughout the propagation then the waves are called periodic
waves.Lear UNE Online
Non-Periodic Waves- If the pattern of a wave is not repeated after one wavelength or a single
time period and does not have the same pattern throughout the propagation then the waves are
called periodic waves.
Characteristics of Wave Motion
+The velocity of a particle is maximum at the mean position and zero at the extreme
position.
* Velocity through which wave travel is different from the velocity through which particles
vibrate.
* Disturbances that originate due to repeated vibrations of the particles about their mean
positions travel through the medium
* There is a phase difference between the particles of the medium because each particle is
subjected to disturbance a little later than its preceding particle.
+ Without any actual transfer of the particles of the medium, energy and momentum are
transferred from one point to another.
Important TerminologiesLear UNE Online
+ Amplitude (A)- The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of any particle in
the medium from its equilibrium position.
+ Wavelength (A)- Wavelength is defined as the distance between two consecutive crests
or troughs.
+ Perlod (T)- The period of a wave is the time taken by the wave to complete one cycle
+ Wave Velocity (V)- It is defined as the velocity by which a wave travels in a medium. The
velocity of a wave is defined as the product of its wavelength and frequency.
+ Path Difference (Ax)- It is the distance between two positions of particles measured
along the direction of propagation of the wave through the medium.
+ Frequency (f)- The number of vibrations made per second by any particles of the
medium is called the frequency of the wave. The frequency of a wave is a characteristic
or unique property of the source and hence it only changes when the source changes
irrespective of the medium through which the wave travels
+ Phase Difference A()- It represents the different states of vibration of a particle at two
different instants of time or any pair of particles at the same instant of time.
+ Phase or Phase Angle (@)- The state of vibration of the particle of a medium with
respect to its mean position is called phase
+ Perlod (T)- The period of a wave is the time taken by any particle of the medium to
complete one cycle of wave motion.
Important Relations
v=NT=iA
wW = 2n/T = 2nf = circular frequency/angular frequency
w =angular frequency
t= time
k = angular wavenumber
x
sition of the particle
= phase difference
Velocity of wave (v) = fALear UNE Online
Velocity of oscillation or transverse velocity or particle velocity = dy/dt.
(Image Will be Uploaded Soon)
Phase Difference and Path Difference
Let's consider a wave propagating in the x-direction
Consider two points A & B in the medium through which the wave travels.
Let the path difference between two points be (a2 — 31) =Ax
We know, the phase difference corresponding to ) is 2m.
Therefore, the phase difference corresponding to Ax is 2mAxiA.
Ad = 2rtAx/A
Also, path difference corresponding to a time difference (T) is (A), therefore, a path difference
(Ax) corresponds to a time difference of (Ax/AJT.
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