Lesson 1: Damped Oscillation and Lesson 1

Mechanical Waves Task 1: Let’s Try This!

Competency:
Differentiate underdamped,
overdamped, and critically damped
motion
STEM _ GP12PM-IId-28
Define mechanical wave, longitudinal
wave, transverse wave, periodic wave,
and sinusoidal wave
STEM_GP12PM-IId-31
From a given sinusoidal wave function
infer the (speed, wavelength, frequency,
period, direction, and wave number
STEM_GP12PMIId-32
Lesson 2: Inverse Square Law
Competency:
Apply the inverse-square relation
between the intensity of waves and the
distance from the source
STEM_GP12MWS-IIe-34
Score: ______________
Done? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Lesson 2:
Task 2: Let’s Explore and Apply!
Score: ______________
Done? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Task 3: Let’s Evaluate
Score: ______________
Done? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Note of Guidance (To be filled out by the
subject teacher for feedbacking of
learner’s performance):
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

Feedback (Learner/Parent/Guardian):
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
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1
 Lesson DAMPED OSCILLATION AND
1 WEEK 4
MECHANICAL WAVES

Task 1 - Perform this activity and answer the questions

Learning Target

To generate and describe transverse and longitudinal waves

Materials

string or elastic band, coil or “slinky”

Procedure

Activity 1: Tape one end of a string to a desk. Then pull the string so it is tight, but lays flat against
the desk. Then generate travelling transverse waves by wiggling the free end of the
string up and down briskly.
Activity 2: Consider a coil or spring that is lying on a tabletop. Jerk one end horizontally to and fro
to produce longitudinal wave.
Questions
• A medium is a matter to which a wave travels. In Activity 1, what is the medium? In activity 2,
what is the medium?
• Describe the motion of the medium and compare this with the movement of the travelling
wave.

In your lower years, you came across the term “waves”. You are aware that
the ripples on a pond, sound, light, wiggles of the slinky, radio and television
transmissions are all wave phenomena.
Wave is a periodic disturbance that travels through matter or space and transfers energy, not
matter, from one location to another. The repetitive motion called vibration, causes the formation of
waves. Therefore, wave is also considered as a simple harmonic motion.
Waves come in different types and forms such as the mechanical waves and the
electromagnetic waves. In this lesson, we will focus on mechanical waves.
Mechanical waves
Mechanical waves are disturbances that transfers energy through a medium. Mechanical
waves cannot propagate through a vacuum.
Medium is the matter through which the mechanical waves travel. The medium can be any
state of matter (solid, liquid or gas).
There are two main types of mechanical waves based on the direction of the displacement of the
particles of the medium through which the waves travel. These are longitudinal waves and
transverse waves.

2
Transverse wave
If we wiggle the free end of the spring as
in Figure 3.4, a transverse wave is formed. The
particles of the medium are displaced
perpendicular to the direction in which a wave
travels. This means that the medium’s particles
oscillate up and down about their individual
equilibrium positions at right angle to the
direction of the wave propagation. Examples:
ripples on the surface of the water, vibrations in
a guitar string, seismic S-waves
Figure 3.4 Transverse Wave
Longitudinal wave
If we give the spring a back-and-forth
motion as in Figure 3.5, a longitudinal wave is
formed. The particles of the medium are
displaced parallel to the direction in which a
wave travels. This means that the medium’s
particles oscillate back and forth about their
individual equilibrium positions along the same
direction of wave propagation. Examples: sound
waves, seismic P-waves, ultrasound waves.
Figure 3.5 Longitudinal Wave

Consider a spring whose free end is given a

repetitive motion as shown in the right. It can be
noticed that a series of wave pulses is produced.
It is also observed that each particle in the spring
will also experience periodic motion as the wave
travels through it. In this case, we have a periodic
wave. Sinusoidal waves are produced when a
Figure 3.6 Periodic Wave periodic wave is in simple harmonic motion.
Figure 3.7 shows the anatomy
of a periodic wave, particularly a
sinusoidal wave. The horizontal
dashed line of the diagram
represents the equilibrium or
rest position of the transverse
wave. This is the position that
the transverse wave would
assume if there were no Figure 3.7 Sinusoidal Wave
disturbance moving through it.
Crest: It is the highest point or the peak of a transverse wave.
Trough: It is the lowest point on a transverse wave.

Characteristics of a Periodic Wave

Amplitude(A): The maximum displacement of a particle on the medium from the equilibrium position.
Wavelength (λ): The distance between two successive crests or throughs.
Frequency (f): The number of waves that pass a particular point for every one second

3
Period (T): The time required for one complete wave to pass a particular point.
These characteristics of the wave can be determined using the sinusoidal wave function.
Wave Function for a Sinusoidal Wave
Recall that periodic waves that oscillates in simple harmonic motion generates sinusoidal waves.
When sinusoidal waves travel through a medium, every particle in the medium undergoes simple harmonic
motion with the same frequency and is displaced from its equilibrium as a function of both position (x) and
time (t). This is express in the general form of a sinusoidal wave below.
y(x,t)=A sin(kx±ωt+ ϕ) sinusoidal wave function Equation 3.7

Where:
y=displacement of the pa rticle in the medium (Unit: m)
A=Amplitude (Unit: m)
k=wave number ( Unit: rad/m)
ω=angular frequency of the wave (Unit: rad/s)
ϕ= phase constant

Consider a transverse harmonic wave traveling in the positive x-direction as shown in Figure 3.8. The
displacement (y) of a particle in the medium is given as a function of x and t as shown in this equation:
y(x,t)=A sin(kx+ωt+ ϕ) Equation 3.8
(sinusoidal wave moving in +x-direction)

If the displacement (y) of the wave is zero at t=0

and x=0, then ϕ=0. Equation 3.8 is reduced to:
y(x,t)=A sin(kx+ωt) (sinusoidal wave moving in
+x-direction) Equation 3.9

When a transverse harmonic wave travels in the

negative x-direction, the equation will become:
y(x,t)=A sin(kx-ωt) (sinusoidal wave moving in -x-
direction) Equation 3.10 Figure 3.8 Sinusoidal Wave
We can use these sinusoidal wave functions to determine the Travelling in the +x-direction
characteristics of the sinusoidal wave.

Steps in Finding the Characteristics of a Sinusoidal Wave

To get the sinusoidal wave’s amplitude, wavelength, period, frequency, speed, direction and wave
number, write down the wave function in the form:

y(x,t)=A sin(kx±ωt+ ϕ).

Use y(x,t)=A sin(kx-ωt) for wave moving in+x-direction.

Use y(x,t)=A sin(kx+ωt) for wave moving in-x-direction.

The amplitude can be taken directly from the equation and is equal to A.
𝟐𝛑
Derive the period of the wave from the angular frequency, thus, you will get, T=
𝛚
𝟏
Use f= to get the frequency of the wave.
𝐓
𝟐𝛑
The wave number can be found using the equation: k = .
𝛌
𝟐𝛑
The wavelength can be derived from the wave number λ =
𝐤
𝐰
The speed of the wave is: v =
𝐤

Sample Problem 1
A transverse wave on a string is described by the wave function:
y(x,t)=0.2m sin (6.28 m-1 x-1.57s-1 t)

4
Find the:
a) Amplitude e) Period
b) Wave Number f) Speed of the Wave
c) Angular Frequency g) Direction of the Wave
d) Wavelength h) Frequency of the Wave
Solution: The wave function is in the form 𝑦(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑘𝑥 − 𝑤𝑡).
Therefore,
a) Amplitude 𝐴 = 𝟎. 𝟐 𝒎
b) The wave number can be read directly from the wave equation:
𝑘 = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟖 rad/m
c) The angular frequency is: 𝜔 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟕𝒓𝒂𝒅/𝒔
2𝜋 2𝜋
d) The wavelength can be found using the equation: 𝜆 = = =1.0 m
𝑘 6.28𝑚−1
2𝜋 2𝜋
e) To get the period: 𝑇 = = 1.57𝑠−1 = 𝟒𝒔
𝜔
𝜔 1.57𝑠 −1
f) Speed of the wave, 𝑣 = = 6.28𝑚−1 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 𝒎/𝒔
𝑘
g) The wave function is in the form 𝑦(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑘𝑥 − 𝑤𝑡).Therefore, the wave is moving in the
positive direction as denoted by the negative sign between 𝑘𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑡.
1 1
h) The frequency is 𝑓 = = 4𝑠 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 𝑯𝒛
𝑇

Sample Problem 2

A wave travelling along a string is denoted by:

y(x,t)=0.005 m sin(80.0 m-1 x-3.00 s-1 t)
Solve for:
a) Amplitude e) Period
b) Wave Number f) Speed of the Wave
c) Angular Frequency g) Direction of the Wave
d) Wavelength h) Frequency of the Wave
Solution:
a) A = 0.005 m e) T = 2π/ω = 2π/(3.00 s-1 ) = 2.09 s
b) k = 80.0 rad/m f) v = ω/k = (3.00 s-1)/(80.0 m-1 ) = 0.0375 m/s
c) ω = 3.00 rad/s g) + x- direction
d)λ =2π/k = 2π/(80.0m-1 ) = 0.0785 m h) f = 1/T = 1/(2.09 s) = 0.48 Hz

Sample Problem 3

A sinusoidal wave travelling on a rope has a period of 0.025 s, speed of 30 m/s and an amplitude
of 0.021525 m. At t=0, the element of the string has zero displacement and is moving in the +x-
direction. Find the following wave characteristics:
a. Frequency, 𝒇
b. angular frequency,𝝎
c. wave number, 𝒌
d. wavelength,𝝀
e. Write the wave function
Solution
f = 1/T = 1/0.025s = 40 Hz
ω = 2π/T = 251.2 rad/s
k = ω/v = (251.2 rad/s)/(30 m/s) = 8.37 rad/m
λ = 2π/k = 2π/(8.37 rad/m) = 0.75 m
y(x,t) = 0.021525m sin(8.37 m-1 x-251.2 s-1 t)

5
 Lesson
2 INVERSE SQUARE LAW WEEK 4
The inverse square law (sound) is relevant to small sources of sound that produce sound equally in
all directions. Supposed that the medium which the sound travels the same and does not reflect or absorbed
the surface or the air. Given with this condition, sound travels as a spherical wave. It extends out uniformly
in all directions and its wave fronts form the surface of a sphere.
From the intensity of a spherical wave equation,
𝑷
I=
𝟒𝝅𝒓𝟐
Rearranging this formula would help you to determine the power of the source
P = 4πr2I
Figure 11.9 exhibits the general presentation of
Inverse Square Law. The illustration presents a
point source that extends uniformly infuse in all
directions without a limit to its range. Moreover,
the intensity of the influence at any given radius
(r) is the source strength divided by the area of
phenomena. The inverse square law applies
also to other phenomena (such as force, light
and radiation).

Figure 11.9 The Inverse Square Law in its general presentation

Sample Problem 1
Mary measured the sound intensity at a distance of 3.5 from a bell ringing to be 5.0 x 10-2 Wm-2. We
assume that the bell acts as the point source of sound (Neglect the effects of reflection and absorption).
What is the total power of the sound emitted by the bell?
Solution:
P= 4πr2I
= 4 π (3.5m)2 x 5.0 x 10−2 Wm−2
= 7.7 W
𝑷
Using the equation of sound intensity produced by a source, I = , the sound intensity it produces is
𝟒𝝅𝒓𝟐
inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.
𝟏
𝑰∞ 𝟐
𝒓
Inverse square law can be restated as “the intensity of sound is inversely proportional to the square of the
distance from the source”. When comparing sound intensities at two different distances r1 and r2 from its
source, the power of the source is constant. And so, P = 4πr12I1 = 4πr22I2. This relationship would then
give the formula:
𝑰𝟐 𝒓 𝟏𝟐
=
𝑰𝟏 𝒓 𝟐𝟐

Given: Solution:
r1 = 4.0m 𝐼2 𝑟12
=
l1 = 5.0x10-6Wm-2 𝐼1 𝑟22
r2 = 2.0m 𝐼1 𝑟12
I2 = ? 𝐼2 =
𝑟22

5.0x10−6 𝑊𝑚−2 (4.0𝑚)2

𝐼2 =
(2.0𝑚)2
𝑰𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝐱𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝑾𝒎−𝟐

6
Given that the sound intensity 4.0 m from the sound source is 5.0 x 10 -6 Wm-2.

What is the intensity at (a) 2.0m and (b) 12m from the source?

Given: Solution:
r1 = 4.0m 𝐼2 𝑟12
=
l1 = 5.0x10-6Wm-2 𝐼1 𝑟22
r2 = 13.0m 𝐼1 𝑟12
I2 = ? 𝐼2 =
𝑟22

5.0x10−6 𝑊𝑚−2 (4.0𝑚)2

𝐼2 =
(13.0𝑚)2
𝑰𝟐 = 𝟒. 𝟕. 𝟎𝐱𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑾𝒎−𝟐

Task 2 - SOLVING SINUSOIDAL WAVE FUNCTION

Direction: Solve the following problems. Show your complete solutions legibly and concisely in a
separate sheet of paper.

1. A travelling wave is represented by the function:

𝒚(𝒙, 𝒕) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟗 𝒎 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝟏. 𝟐 𝒎−𝟏 𝒙 − 𝟓. 𝟎𝒔−𝟏 𝒕)

Find the following:
a) Amplitude b) wave number c. wavelength
d) angular frequency e) frequency f) wave speed
Solution:

2. A travelling sinusoidal wave has this equation:

𝒚(𝒙, 𝒕) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝟓𝟎 𝒎 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝟐𝟓. 𝟏𝟐 𝒎−𝟏 𝒙 − 𝟑𝟕. 𝟔𝟖𝒔−𝟏 𝒕 − 𝟎. 𝟓𝟐𝟑)

Find the following:
a) Amplitude b) wave number c) wavelength
d) angular frequency e) frequency f) phase angle

Solution:

3. The transverse waves has the following characteristics:

𝒎
𝒗 = 𝟖. 𝟎𝟎 , 𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟎𝟎𝒎, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝝀 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟐𝟎𝒎. The waves travel in the –x-direction, and at t=0 the x=0
𝒔
end of the string has zero displacement and is moving in the +y- direction.

7
 a) Calculate the frequency, period and wave number and angular frequency of these waves;
b) Write a wave function describing the wave.
Solution:

4. Your cousin is playing with the clothesline. He unties one end, holds it tight, and wiggles the end up and
down sinusoidally with 𝒇 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟎 𝑯𝒛 , 𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟓𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒗 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟎 𝒎/𝒔 at time t=0, the end has zero
displacement and is moving in the +y- direction. Assume that no wave bounces back from the far end to
muddle up the pattern.
a) Find the amplitude, angular frequency, period, wavelength, and wave number of the wave.
Write its corresponding wave function.
Solution:

Task 3
Directions: Read each statement below carefully and fill in the blanks with the correct answer.
Choose your answer from the word bank provided below. Each word can only be used once. Use
separate sheet of paper for your answer.
1. A ______ is a vibration that moves through space.
2. The source of a wave is a ___________ or _____________________.
3. The material through which a wave travel is called the _______________.
4. Waves carry _____ and can be described as a ___________ which travels uniformly from its source.
5. Amplitude of a wave is measured from a wave’s crest to its______.
6. Wave ______ = frequency x wavelength
7. A________ wave requires a medium to propagate
8. In a longitudinal wave, the motion of the particle is________ the wave’s direction of propagation.
9. In a transverse wave, the motion of the particles is _____ the wave’s direction of propagation. A
sinusoidal wave is a periodic wave in ___________.
10. A sinusoidal wave is a periodic wave in ___________.

Word Box
Simple harmonic motion wave parallel oscillation mechanical
Equilibrium position perpendicular vibration medium speed
energy

8
 Lesson 2
5. Equilibrium position 10. Simple harmonic motion
4. Energy 9. perpendicular
3. Medium 8. parallel
2. Vibration, oscillation 7. mechanical
1. Wave 6. speed
Let’s Evaluate
b) 𝑦(𝑥, 𝑡) = 0.075𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (1.05 𝑚−1 𝑥 − 12.6𝑠 −1 𝑡)
𝑣
𝑘 = = 1.05 𝑚−1
𝜔
𝑓 𝑓
4. a)𝐴 = 0.075 𝑚 𝜔 = 12.6 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠 𝑇 = = 0.500 𝑠 𝜆 = = 6.00 𝑚
1 𝑣
b)𝑦(𝑥, 𝑡) = 0.0700 𝑚 sin(19.6 𝑚−1 𝑥 −156.8𝑠 −1 t)
3 .a)𝑓 = 25.0 𝐻𝑧, 𝑇 = 0.0400𝑠, 𝑘 = 19.6 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑚 𝜔 = 156.8 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠

f)𝜙 = −0.523 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛

2𝜋
e)𝑓 = = 6.00 𝐻𝑧
𝜔
d)𝜔 = 37.68 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠
𝑘
c)𝜆 = = 0.250 𝑚
2𝜋
b) 𝑘 = 25.12 𝑚−1
2. a)𝐴 = 0.0450 𝑚

f)𝑣 = 4.17 𝑚/𝑠

2𝜋
e)𝑓 = = 0.80 𝐻𝑧
𝜔
d)𝜔 = 5.0 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠
𝑘
c)𝜆 = = 5.2 𝑚
2𝜋
b) 𝑘 = 1.2 𝑚−1
1. a)𝐴 = 0.009 𝑚

3. Activity 3.11
2. In Activity 2, the motion of the medium is parallel to the movement of the travelling wave.
1. Activity 1: The motion of the medium is perpendicular to the movement of the travelling wave.
Lesson 1: Task 1

Department of Education Central Office. Most Essential Learning Competencies (2020)

Department of Education. Project EASE Physics Module 16: Sound (Learning Resource
Management Development Systems, 2003)
Ferrer, R. A. & Ungson, S. L. 2010. Physics. Science, Environment, Technology and
Society.
Intensity and the Inverse Square Law
http://www.jaconline.com.au/jacarandaphysics/jacarandaphysics2/downloads/design-changes/u4-ds3-link-
1.pdf Retrieved on 8.26.2020
Inverse Square Law
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Forces/isq.html Retrieved on 8.26.2020
Physics of Sound. https://homepages.wmich.edu/~hillenbr/206/ac.pdf Retrieved on 8.26.2020
Zitzewitz, Haase, and Harper. Physics Principles & Problems. Reprint, United States of America: McGraw-Hill
Companies Inc., 2013.
Serway / Jewett. Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics. Cengage 2014.