GENERAL WAVE PROPERTIES

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson you should be able to

1. Describe wave motion and explain the features of wave.
2. Calculate wave equation
3. differentiate between transverse and longitudinal wave
4. Describe the different wave behavior such as reflection,
refraction and diffraction
 General wave properties represents a wave with a short wavelength. When the
wavefronts are far apart, this represents a wave with a long
Wave transfer energy without transferring matter. wavelength
Waves are described as oscillations or vibrations
about a fixed point. For example, ripples cause
particles of water to oscillate up and down. Also
Sound waves cause particles of air to vibrate back
and forth
Wave motion
Wave motion is the transfer of energy through a
medium, such as water or air, in the form of • Wavelength: This is distance from one point on the wave
oscillations or vibrations. to the same point on the next successive wave.
Wave motion can be illustrated by: Wavelength can be measured from one peak to the next
• vibrations in ropes and springs peak in a transverse wave. The wavelength is given by the
• experiments using water waves symbol λ (lambda) and is measured in metres (m)
•Properties of waves can be observed using water
waves in a ripple tank
The features of a wave include:
• Properties include frequency, wavelength and
•Wavefront: This is an imaginary line or
wave speed as explained in the next section.
surface that connects all the points on
a wave that are moving in phase. "In
phase" means that all these points are
at the same stage of their wave cycle.
•The arrow shows the direction the
wave is moving and is sometimes • Amplitude: Amplitude is defined as:
called a ray The distance from the undisturbed (rest) position to the peak
•The space between each wavefront or trough of a wave. Amplitude is the maximum or
represents the wavelength. When the minimum displacement from the undisturbed (rest) position.
wavefronts are close together, this It is given by the symbol A and is measured in metres (m).
• Frequency: This is the number of Where: undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a
waves passing a point in a second. v = wave speed, measured in metres per second wave
Frequency is given by (m/s) Step 2: Mark the undisturbed position on the wave.
the symbol f and is measured f = wave frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)
This is the centre of the wave.
in Hertz (Hz) or per second (S-1). λ = wavelength, measured in metres (m)
• Crest (peak): This is the highest point T = wave period measured in second (s).
on a wave above the equilibrium, or
rest position.

• Trough: This is the lowest point on a

wave below the equilibrium, or rest, Step 3: Identify the arrow between the undisturbed
position.
position and a peak: The amplitude is shown by
arrow D.
Worked example: Small water waves are created Part (b)
in a ripple tank by a wooden bar. The wooden bar
vibrates
up and down hitting the surface of the water. The
diagram below shows a cross-section of the ripple
tank and water. Worked example
A wave in a pond has a speed of 0.15 m/s and a
Wave speed: This is the speed at
which energy is transferred through a time period of 2 seconds. Calculate:
medium. Wave speed is defined as the a) The frequency of the wave
distance travelled by a wave each Identify the letter which shows: b) The wavelength of the wave
second. a) The amplitude of a water wave.
• Wave speed is given as b) The wavelength of the water wave.
Answer:
V = fλ = λ/T Part (a)
Step 1: Recall the definition of amplitude
Amplitude = The distance from the
 the same direction as the wave motion. They can move in
Answer: Transverse & Longitudinal Waves
solids, liquids and gases. They can not move in a vacuum
Part (a) Transverse waves (since there are no particles)
Step 1: List the known quantities Transverse waves are waves where the direction •The key features of a longitudinal wave are
Time period, T = 2 s of vibration is at right angles to the direction of COMPRESSION: these are points where particles are Close
Step 2: State the equation relating
propagation of the wave. together
time period and frequency
RAREFACTION: These are points where particles are
Spaced apart.
Step 3: Rearrange for frequency, f,
and calculate the answer

Frequency, f = 0.5 Hz
Part (b) Examples of longitudinal waves are: Sound waves,
Step 1: List the known quantities Seismic P-waves (primary earthquake waves)
Wave speed, v = 0.15 m/s
Frequency, f = 0.5 Hz
Step 2: Write out the wave speed Examples of waves that can be modelled as Property Transverse waves Longitudinal waves

equation transverse are: Compressions and

Structure Peaks and troughs
• Electromagnetic waves (such as radiowaves, rarefactions
Step 3: Rearrange the equation to visible light, X-rays etc) Vibration
Right angles to the direction of Parallel to the direction
calculate the wavelength • Ripples on the surface of water energy transfer of energy transfer
Step 4: Use the frequency you Only electromagnetic waves can Cannot travel in a
• Seismic S-waves (secondary earthquake Vacuum
travel in a vacuum vacuum
calculated in part (a) and put the
values into the equation
waves) Can move in solids and the surfaces Can move in solids,
Material
• Wave on strings of liquids liquids and gases
The density of the wave
Density A constant density
changes
Longitudinal waves Pressure in the wave
Pressure Has a constant pressure
Longitudinal waves are Waves where the changes
direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of Speed of wave
Depends on the material the wave Depends on the material
Wavelength, λ = 0.30 m propagation of the wave. is travelling in the wave is travelling in

•The energy transfer in longitudinal wave is in

NOTED: The main difference between transverse and
longitudinal waves is the direction of the vibrations with
respect to the direction of the wave itself

Wave Behaviours/Properties
The properties of wave are reflection, refraction and
diffraction.
• Reflection Wavelength and Gap Size in Diffraction
Reflection is the bouncing back of wave after hitting or • The amount of diffraction increases
striking a surface. It occurs when a wave hits a when the wavelength is similar to or The size of the gap (compared to the
boundary between two media at a plane surface and greater than the gap.
does not pass through, but instead stays in the original wavelength) affects how much the waves
• Smaller wavelengths or large gaps lead spread out
medium.
During refection the wavelength of the waves are kept to less diffraction.
the same
Wavelength and Diffraction at an Edge
Refraction: This is the change in the direction of • Longer wavelengths diffract more at
wave as it travels from one medium to another due to edges.
different in density. When refraction occurs, it changes • For example, low-frequency sound
speed, wavelength and direction, but the frequency (longer wavelength) bends around
remains the same. obstacles better than high-frequency
NOTE: Refraction is the only property/effect of wave
sound.
which changes its wavelength.

Diffraction Diffraction at an Edge

When a wave goes past the edge of a barrier,
Diffraction is the spreading or bending of wave Diffraction can also occur when waves
the waves can curve around it.
through a narrow opening/gap when it comes across curve around an edge or barrier spread
obstruction/obstacle. When waves are diffracted the Shorter wavelengths undergo less
into the space beyond.
wavelength remains constant. It is noticeable when the diffraction than longer wavelengths.
gap size is similar to the wavelength.