The Nature of Waves

http://nees.oregonstate.edu/killer_wave/characteristics.htm

viewpure.com/7_AiV12XBbI?start=28&end=0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_AiV12XBbI
What makes a wave?

A wave forms when an object oscillates and the

energy is transferred usually through a medium.
What makes a wave?

Particles of the medium always oscillate around

an equilibrium but energy is transferred along
the medium.
Profile of a Wave (1-D) (displacement vs distance)

displacement

distance

Label Amplitude, Wavelength

Time of a Wave (displacement vs time)
displacement

time
Energy of a Wave

The energy of a wave is its Intensity.

Intensity -

It is proportional to the Amplitude of the wave squared.

Power transferred per unit area

Energy of a Wave

The energy of a wave is its Intensity.

Determine the ratio of Intensity of these two waves.

Energy of a Wave

The energy of a wave is its Intensity.

Speed of a Wave

Speed = displacement
time
1. Calculate the speed of the wave.

Displacement (m)

centimeters
2. Four waves arrive at a beach in 10.0 seconds. The horizontal
distance between the highest and lowest point in a wave is 3.5 m.
Calculate the speed of the water waves.

[2.8 m s-1]
Classifying Waves . . . by duration

Pulse Traveling (continuous progressive)

Classifying Waves . . . by appearance

Traveling Standing Waves

(label nodes and antinodes)
Classifying Waves . . . by orientation

Transverse Longitudinal
(label crests and troughs) (label compressions and rarefactions)
Longitudinal Waves

Medium particle oscillates parallel to

direction of energy transfer
Transverse Waves

Medium particle oscillates perpendicular

to direction of energy transfer
http://resource.isvr.soton.ac.uk/spcg/tutorial/tutorial/Tutorial_files/Web-basics-nature.htm
http://resource.isvr.soton.ac.uk/spcg/tutorial/tutorial/Tutorial_files/Web-basics-nature.htm
Classifying Waves . . . by medium

Bell in a vacuum jar

http://viewpure.com/ce7AMJdq0Gw
Classifying Waves . . . by medium

Mechanical Waves

Mechanical waves require a medium.

Sound is an example of a mechanical wave.

Its velocity depends on the elastic properties and
density of the molecules of the medium.
Classifying Waves . . . by medium

Electromagnetic waves

Does not require a

medium.

Produced by the
movement of electric
charge. Oscillation of
electric and magnetic
fields.
Classifying Waves . . . by medium

Electromagnetic Spectrum
Classifying Waves . . . by medium

Electromagnetic Waves

Calculate the wavelength of your favorite

radio station’s broadcast signal wave.

My favorite station is 90.1 MHz.

Drawing Waves in 2-D Wave fronts and Rays

Rays are always

_____________
to wave fronts.
Drawing Waves in 2D
Wave Phenomena
Superposition – Interference in 1D

Waves can be in the same place at the same time.

What happens when they meet each other?

Superposition – Interference in 1D

Waves can be in the same place at the same time.

http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/superposition/superposition.html
Superposition – Interference in 1D

Waves can be in the same place at the same time.

Interference slinky.mov
Superposition – Interference in 1D

Waves can be in the same place at the same time.

http://www.ablongman.com/mullin/AnimationPages/FigsI-19&20.html
Superposition – Interference in 1D

Constructive Destructive
Incident
Pulses

Pulses
Interfering

Pulses After
Superposition – Interference in 1D
Superposition- when 2 or more waves interfere, the resultant
displacement is the sum of all the individual displacements
Reflection – waves at boundaries between media

Mirror

Angle of incidence, angle of reflection, normal

Reflection – waves at boundaries between media

Water waves

Reflection wavetank.mov
Reflection – waves at boundaries between media

The Law of Reflection:

The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
Reflection – waves at boundaries between media

Fixed Boundary Free Boundary

Before

After
Reflection – waves at boundaries between media

Fast to Slow Boundary Slow to Fast Boundary

Before

After
Reflection – waves at boundaries between media