Waves

Selected Topics:
1. What is a wave? 2.Define the following terms: i)crest ii) trough iii) wave length iv)wave pulse v)amplitude vi) loudness vii)time period viii) frequency ix) sharpness x) speed xi)echo xii)audible frequency, infrasonic, supersonic. 3. Ripple tank 4. Reflection, Refraction and Diffraction of water waves 5. Experiment to measure speed of sound 6. Transverse and Longitudinal wave 7. Electromagnetic spectrum

1. Wave: A wave is an energy carrier which transfers energy from one place to another as shown in the diagram:

2 i,ii ) Crest and Trough: The highest point of a wave is known as crest and the lowest point of a wave is known as trough as shown in the diagram:

Note: Compression and rarefaction: Crest and trough are used to describe transverse waves but compression and rarefaction are used to describe longitudinal waves. Compressions are positions where the molecules are closer to each other and this happens because of the higher pressure areas. Rarefactions are the positions where the molecules are further from each other and this happens due to the lower pressure areas as shown in the diagram:

iii) Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive crests and troughs is known as wavelength. It is represented by the letter lambda () and it is usually measured in metre but it can also be measured in centimetre . Note: Wave front:

Wave front is an imaginary line that is obtained by joining the crests of different waves. The distance between the two consecutive wave fronts is 1 lambda

Question: Q:

Figure shows some wave fronts. Using the diagram calculate the wavelength.

Ans: According to the diagram, 5 = 20 cm = 4 cm

iv) Wave pulse: Wave pulse is a which does not have any repeated crest or trough, as shown in the diagram:

Question: Q:

How many wave pulses are shown in the diagram? Ans: 2

v) Amplitude:

Amplitude of any wave is the maximum displacement of the wave from its mean position.

vi) Loudness: Loudness of a sound wave depends on its amplitude. If the amplitude is more, loudness is more. If the amplitude is less, loudness is less. Question: Q:

The figures show two sound waves of different amplitude. Which one of the two waves is associated with a louder sound? Give a reason for your answer. Ans: The wave in figure B is associated with a louder sound. This is because amplitude of the wave in figure B is more than that in figure A.

vii) Time Period:

Time period is the time required to complete one oscillation. Time period is represented by the letter T and is usually measured in seconds.

viii) Frequency: Frequency is the number of complete oscillations in one second. Frequency is represented by f and is measured in Hertz (Hz). The relationship between the frequency and the time period is: f= or, T =

Question: Q: Frequency of a wave is 100 Hz a) Calculate time period. If its amplitude is 2mm, b) sketch 3 cycles of the wave and label the axes. Ans a) T = T = T = 0.01 sec

b)

Q: A student on a boat counts 20 water waves traveling in 5 seconds: a) what is the frequency? b) what is the time period? Ans a) 5 seconds 20 waves 1 second four waves f=4 b) T= =

ix) Sharpness: Sharpness of a sound wave depends on its frequency end of the frequency depends on its pitch. If the frequency is more, in pitch is more, sold its sharpness is more. If frequency is less, its pitch is less so sharpness is less. Question: Q:

Brb

Which one of the two waves is associated with a sharper sound? Give a reason for your answer. Ans: Wave in figure A is associated with a sharper sound. This is because wave in figure A has more frequency, so pitch is more.