Unit 5.

1 – Modeling and using waves

(part 1)
Waves
• Waves are a common occurrence in our everyday lives, whether it
be the waves in the ocean or the sound waves we hear.
• Wave formation is the process by which energy is transferred
through a medium, causing a disturbance in that medium.
This disturbance then moves through the medium in the form of a
wave.
• Waves can be categorized into two main types: mechanical waves
and electromagnetic waves. Mechanical waves require a medium,
such as water or air, to travel through, while electromagnetic
waves do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.
• When a wave is formed, it creates a pattern of oscillations in the
medium through which it is propagating.
Waves
When a stone is dropped
into a pond, ripples begin to
spread out across the
surface.

When a stone is dropped into a pond,

it creates ripples that radiate outward
in a circular pattern. These ripples are
a form of waves that spread across
the surface of the water. The impact
of the stone disrupts the equilibrium
of the water, causing it to move and
create waves.
Waves Ripples are small waves that
propagate outward in all
directions
The tiny waves carry energy
– but there is no actual flow
of water across the pond.

The physics behind wave formation

involves the transfer of energy
through a medium, causing a
disturbance that propagates
through space. This disturbance
creates a pattern of oscillations that
can be observed as a wave.
 In a wave, there are
two main parts that
Waves are important to
understand :
The crest is the
Waves are just the highest point of the
up and down wave, where the
movement in water. water is pushed
upwards.
The trough is the
lowest point of the
wave, where the
water is pulled
downwards. These
two parts of the wave
are constantly
changing as the wave
moves through the
water.
Peak

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 There are other
Waves sorts of waves, such
as:
Waves are just the Sound
up and down Radio
movement in water.
Light

Peak

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 There are other
Waves sorts of waves, such
as:
Waves are just the Sound
up and down Radio
movement in water.
Light

Waves have
features in
common, and can
be divided into two
main types:

Peak 1. Transverse
2. Longitudinal

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Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves

Particles of the medium oscillating

perpendicular to the direction of the
wave's propagation

The to-and-fro movements of the wave

are called oscillations. In a
transverse wave these oscillations are at
right angles to the direction in which the
energy is travelling.
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves

The to-and-fro movements of the wave

are called oscillations. In a
transverse wave these oscillations are at
right angles to the direction in which the
energy is travelling.
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
Features of transverse waves

1. Wavelength.
The distance
between any two
corresponding
points on the
wave. (metres)
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
Features of transverse waves

1. Wavelength. 2. Amplitude.
The distance The maximum
between any two displacement of
corresponding the wave from
points on the its rest point.
wave. (metres)
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
Features of transverse waves

1. Wavelength. 2. Amplitude. 3. Speed. The

The distance The maximum speed of the
between any two displacement of wave is
corresponding the wave from measured in
points on the its rest point. metres per
wave. (metres) second (m/s).
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
Features of transverse waves

4. Frequency. The number

of waves passing any
point in one second. The
unit of frequency is the
hertz (Hz). One hertz is
one vibration of the wave
per second. The time for
one oscillation is called
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
Features of transverse waves

4. Frequency. The number For example, if five complete

of waves passing any waves pass a given point in
point in one second. The one second (i.e. five
unit of frequency is the complete oscillations) then
hertz (Hz). One hertz is the frequency is 5 Hz.
one vibration of the wave
per second. The time for
one oscillation is called
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
Features of transverse waves

Remember! The frequency (in Hz) is the

number of oscillations per second.
The period (in seconds) is the time for one
complete oscillation.

Frequency = 1
period
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
The wave
equation
Linking together
speed,
frequency and
wavelength.
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
The wave
equation
Linking together
speed,
frequency and
wavelength.

Speed = frequency x
wavelength
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
The wave
equation
Linking together
speed,
frequency and
wavelength.

Speed = frequency x
wavelength (λ = Greek letter
v = fλ lambda)
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
The wave
equation
Linking together
speed,
frequency and
wavelength.

Speed = frequency x
wavelength (λ = Greek letter
v = fλ lambda)

m/s Hz m
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
The wave
equation
Linking together
speed,
frequency and
wavelength.

Example 1: a wave has a

wavelength of 12m. Calculate
the wave speed if it has a
frequency of 20 Hz.
v = fλ
v = 20 x 12
v = 240 m/s
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
The wave
equation
Linking together
speed,
frequency and
wavelength.

Example 1: a wave has a Example 2: a wave has a

wavelength of 12m. Calculate frequency of 10 Hz. Calculate the
the wave speed if it has a wavelength if it has a wave speed
frequency of 20 Hz. of 50 m/s.
v = fλ v = fλ
v = 20 x 12 λ = v / f
v = 240 m/s λ = 50 / 10
λ = 5m
 Transverse Eg. light, ultra-violet, gamma
rays, radio.
Waves
The wave
equation
Linking together
speed,

v
frequency and
wavelength.

Example 1: a wave has a Example 2: a wave has a

wavelength of 12m. Calculate frequency of 10 Hz. Calculate the
the wave speed if it has a wavelength if it has a wave speed
frequency of 20 Hz.
v = fλ
v = 20 x 12
v = 240 m/s
f λ
of 50 m/s.
v = fλ
λ = v / f
λ = 50 / 10
λ = 5m
 Longitudinal
Waves
Eg. Sound

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave
 Longitudinal
Waves
Eg. Sound

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave

Compressi Rarefaction
on
 Longitudinal
Waves
Eg. Sound

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave

Compressi Rarefaction
on
In longitudinal waves the
oscillations (vibrations)
are backwards and
forwards. The different
sections are known as
compressions and
rarefactions.
 Longitudinal
Waves
Eg. Sound

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave

Compressi Rarefaction
on
In longitudinal waves the
The oscillations in
oscillations (vibrations)
longitudinal waves are in
are backwards and
the direction of travel.
forwards. The different
sections are known as
Sound waves are
compressions and
longitudinal waves.
rarefactions.
Compressions are areas in a longitudinal wave
where particles are close together

Rarefactions are areas where particles are spread

out.
Concrete examples of transverse waves include:

1. Light waves: when light travels through a medium, the

electric and magnetic fields oscillate perpendicular to the
direction of the wave's propagation.

2. Water waves: as waves travel across the surface of water,

the particles of water move up and down in a perpendicular
motion.

3. String waves: when a string is plucked or vibrated, waves

travel along the length of the string with the particles moving
up and down.

4. Electromagnetic waves: radio waves, microwaves, and x-

rays are all examples of transverse waves that propagate
through space.
Concrete examples of longitudinal waves include:

1. Sound waves: when sound travels through a medium, the air

particles oscillate back and forth in the same direction as the
wave's movement.

2. Earthquake waves: P-waves (primary waves) and S-waves

(secondary waves) are examples of longitudinal seismic waves that
propagate through the Earth.

3. Pressure waves in gases: when a balloon is popped, the air

particles move back and forth to create a pressure wave that
propagates through the air.

4. Ultrasound waves: used in medical imaging, ultrasound waves are

longitudinal waves that travel through tissues in the body.