Different Types of Waves

Waves can be classified into three types:

1. Mechanical waves 2. Electromagnetic waves 3. Matter waves. Mechanical Waves act as the propagation of a disturbance through a material medium due to the repeated periodic motion of the particles of the medium about their mean positions, the disturbance being handed over from one particle to the next. Electromagnetic Waves are the disturbance, which does not require any material medium for its propagation and can travel even through vacuum. They are caused due to varying electric and magnetic fields. Matter Waves are the waves produced in electrons and particles.

Mechanical Waves
The existence of medium is essential for propagation. The Method of energy propagation in which disturbance propagates with definite velocity without changing its form is called Mechanical Wave. Energy and momentum propagates by motion of particles of medium. But medium remains at previous position. The mass transfer does not take possible here. The Propagation is possible due to property of medium like elasticity and inertia. Examples: vibration of string, vibration of string, the surface wave produced on the surface of solid and liquid, sound waves, tsunami waves, earthquake P-waves, ultra sounds, vibrations in gas, and oscillations in spring, internal water waves, and waves in slink etc. Mechanical waves are of two types: 1. Transverse Wave 2. Longitudinal Wave.

Transverse Waves

The medium has particles that vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of wave. This Kind of wave produced is called Transverse Wave.

Here the formation of crust and trough takes place. For example: vibration of string. Here the direction of propagation of energy is perpendicular to the direction of oscillations. There are always two directions that are independent of each other that can be used as the direction of wave.

Longitudinal Waves

Consider a wave moving. if the vibration of the particles of the medium are in the direction of wave propagation. We call it as Longitudinal Waves.

A Longitudinal wave proceeds in the form of compression and rarefaction which is the stretched rubber band. For a longitudinal wave at places of compression the pressure and density tends to be maximum, while at places where rarefaction takes place, the pressure and density are minimum. Longitudinal waves are known as Compression waves. Examples of longitudinal waves: Sound waves, tsunami waves, earthquake P - waves, ultra sounds, vibrations in gas, and oscillations in spring, internal water waves, and waves in slink etc. In gases only longitudinal waves propagate.

Electromagnetic Waves
The existence of medium is not essential for propagation. The Periodic changes takes place in electric and magnetic fields hence it is called Electromagnetic Wave. Properties: 1. In vacuum E.M waves travel with light velocity. 2. E.M waves can be polarized. 3. E.M waves are transverse in nature. 4. Medium is not required for propagating the E.M waves. 5. E.M waves have momentum. Example: Radio waves, light waves, thermal radiation, X ray etc.

Matter Waves

These are also called De Broglie waves. They show or depict the wave nature or wave like nature of all matter, everything that makes up our body, the atoms etc. Considering the quantum physics we have a proof that the wavelength of matter waves is very small. There are various equations called the De Broglie equations which basically suggest the dual nature of matter. The frequency of these waves is directly depends on their kinetic energy,

Momentum is not directly proportional to the wavelength of the particle and not inversely proportional.

Surface Waves
These waves can have mechanical nature. They can have an electromagnetic nature. Example is a ground wave propagating close to the earths surface. It can propagate between two fluids with different densities. For example a diving sea creature can create a surface wave. They are also calledRayleigh waves.

Elastic Waves
The body which is elastic in nature produces this Elastic wave.The elastic body is responsible for setting the vibratory motion of particles. This vibratory motion basically causes the Elastic wave. For an elastic wave the particles always tend to come back to their original positions when set in wave motion. This leads to the formation of the wave. Thus Elastic Wave is a type of mechanical wave. Restoring force is provided causing the wave motion. It also propagates in the visco-elastic medium. The study of the elastic waves is called Elastodynamics. Example: When gas which when compressed tend to come to its original position. When sound is transmitted through the gas then it is transmitted as an elastic wave.

Sound Waves
For sound waves the existence of material medium is very necessary for the propagation of the waves. The propagation of waves taking place in solid, liquid and gases which makes us hear the sound is called Sound wave. Properties:

1. Sound waves are longitudinal in nature. 2. Material medium is necessary for the propagation of the sound waves. 3. The Speed of sound in air at N.T. P is 332 m/s. 4. The Sound is audible only between 20 Hz to 20 KHz.

Standing Waves
When a wave remains in a constant position it is called Standing wave. This is possible due to 2 reasons: 1. When the medium moves in a direction opposite to the direction of propagation of wave it is possible. 2. When the phenomenon of interference takes place between the two waves traveling in an opposite direction then it is possible. When two waves having equal frequency and amplitude overlap each other then we get a standing wave. This is possible due to the obstruction of the wave by some boundary and hence the reflection of it back in the same medium.