Mechanical

Wave
General Physics 11/2
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
 A P I T U E

E I O

D I A C E M E N

F E E N Y

C L E 2
In this lesson, you will learn the different classifications
of waves, along with their corresponding applications.

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 Learning Competency
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Define mechanical wave, longitudinal wave,

transverse wave (STEM_GP12PM-IId-31).

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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Differentiate electromagnetic waves from

mechanical waves.

● Differentiate transverse from longitudinal

waves.

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Classifications of Waves

Do you wonder why do we

see objects and how do we
receive some information?

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 Classifications of Waves

Do you wonder why do we see

objects and how do we receive
some information?
We receive some information because of the sound. And the
sound is an energy that travels to our ears in some of one kind
of wave. We also see objects because of light. And light is also
an energy that comes to our eyes and travels in a different
form of a wave. And these are examples of mechanical waves.

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 Classifications of Waves

Mechanical Waves

● Mechanical waves are waves that propagate through

a medium.

● A medium is a substance or material where the waves

travel from one point to another.

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 Classifications of Waves

Mechanical Waves

● A good example of a mechanical wave is a sound wave.

● In order for sound to propagate, there should be a

medium ie. air, water or land.

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 Classifications of Waves

Mechanical Waves
● There are two types of Mechanical waves. The
Longitudinal wave and Transverse wave.

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 Classifications of Waves

Mechanical Waves
● The regions where waves are closer together in a
longitudinal wave are called compressions while the
regions where they are farther apart are called
rarefactions.
● The distance between the midpoint of successive
compressions or rarefactions is one wavelength
● Maximum displacement of the waves from equilibrium
position is amplitude 11
 Classifications of Waves

Electromagnetic Waves

● Electromagnetic waves or
EM waves do not need
any medium to
propagate.
● A very good example of
this is light.
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 Classifications of Waves

We can also classify waves in terms of the direction of its

displacement and wave direction.

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 Classifications of Waves

Transverse Waves

● Consider a rope attached on the wall that was moved

up and down.
● The wave produced is called a transverse wave.

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 Classifications of Waves

Transverse Waves

● A wave in which the particles move in a direction

perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of
the wave is called transverse wave.

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 Classifications of Waves

Transverse Waves

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 Classifications of Waves

● A crest (highest wave) is a positive pulse while a trough

(lower part of the wave) is a negative pulse.
● The distance from the midpoint of one crest and one
trough is called wavelength, represented by the Greek
letter, λ (lambda). 17
Remember

A transverse wave is formed when a

disturbance on the medium moves
perpendicularly to the direction that the
wave moves.

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 Classifications of Waves

Longitudinal Waves

● When a slinky is directed to

move back and forth, the slinky
behaves in a way that there will
be a chain of compression and
rarefaction.
● This wave pattern is called a
longitudinal wave.
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 Classifications of Waves

Longitudinal Waves

● A longitudinal wave is a wave in which particles of the

medium move in a direction parallel to the direction
that the wave moves.

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 Classifications of Waves

Longitudinal Waves

● Sound waves are longitudinal waves.

● As a sound wave moves from source to the ear of a

listener, the air molecules vibrate back and forth in the
same direction and the opposite direction of energy
transport creating compression and rarefaction of air
molecules.
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Classifications of Waves

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Remember

Longitudinal waves are formed when a

disturbance on the medium moves in a
direction parallel to the direction that the
wave is moving.

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 Classifications of Waves

Wave Equation
● We define previously that frequency of the wave is the
number of crests and troughs or complete cycles that
pass a given point in the medium per unit of time. If a
wave is being generated in the spring or rope, it travels
a distance of one wavelength (λ) in the time required
for one complete vibration which is defined as the
period (T).
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 Classifications of Waves

Wave Equation
Since v = Δd/Δt (speed)
And Δd = λ and Δd = T
Substituting: v = λ/T
Therefore: v = fλ
f = frequency
λ = wavelength
V = speed 25
 Classifications of Waves

Example:
1. Determine the speed of water wave in a pond that
has a wavelength of 0.065m and a frequency of 3 Hz.

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 Classifications of Waves

Example:
1. Determine the speed of water wave in a pond that
has a wavelength of 0.065m and a frequency of 3 Hz.

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 Classifications of Waves

Example:
2. Calculate the period of a wave in a rope that travels
a speed of 2.5 m/s if the wavelength is 1.5m.

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 Classifications of Waves

Example:
2. Calculate the period of a wave in a rope that travels
a speed of 2.5 m/s if the wavelength is 1.5m.

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Check Your Understanding

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Check Your Understanding

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Mechanical wave is a type of wave that requires a

medium to propagate. On the other hand,
electromagnetic waves are waves that do not need a
medium to propagate.

● A transverse wave is a wave in which particles of the

medium move in a direction perpendicular to the
direction that the wave moves.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● A longitudinal wave is a wave in which particles of the

medium move in a direction parallel to the direction
that the wave moves.

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 Bibliography Task #2: Exploring Mechanical Waves
Performance
with (Marshmallows or Gummy Bear) and Sticks
Objective:
To investigate the properties of mechanical waves, specifically transverse and
longitudinal waves, using marshmallows and sticks while applying teamwork
and hands-on skills.

Materials Needed:
•Plastic gloves (one pair per student)
•Marshmallows (50 pcs) or
•Gummy Bears (50 pcs)
•Sticks (25 pcs, all the same length)
•Duct tape (shared among the class)
•Measuring tape or ruler (one per group)
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Bibliography
Faughn, Jerry S. and Raymond A. Serway. Serway’s College Physics (7th ed). Singapore: Brooks/Cole,
2006.

Halliday, David, Robert Resnick and Kenneth Krane. Fundamentals of Physics (5th ed). USA:
Wiley, 2002.

Knight, Randall D. Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach (4th ed). USA: Pearson
Education, 2017.

Serway, Raymond A. and John W. Jewett, Jr. Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics (9th
ed). USA: Brooks/Cole, 2014.

Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky’s University
Physics with Modern Physics (13th ed). USA: Pearson Education, 2012.

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