Progressive Wave

Progressive wave
Progressive wave or travelling wave

A wave which travels continuously in a medium in the same direction without any
change in its amplitude is called progressive wave. In the progressive wave, each
particles of the medium vibrates about their mean position simple harmonically.
Consider a transverse wave travelling from left to right along the positive x direction
starting from the particle O at origin in the medium. The displacement equation of
the wave at any instant of time is given by ,
y= A sinwt…………..(1)
where A is the amplitude, ω is the angular frequency of the wave. Consider a particle P at a
distance x from the particle O on its right. Let the wave travel with a velocity v from left to
right. Since it takes some time for the disturbance to reach P, its displacement can be
written as
y=A sin (ωt -kx)……….(2)
Y =A sin (ωt -ɸ)…..........*
where ɸ is the phase difference between the particles O and P
Hence a path difference of x corresponds to a phase difference of
ɸ= kx=2πx/λ ( where k is wave number; k =2π/λ )
Substituting the value of the ɸ in equation (2)
We get,
y=A sin (ωt -2πx/λ)…………….(3)
Since we have ω=2π/T then eqn (3) becomes
y=Asin{2πt/T−2πx/λ}
y=Asin2π{t/T−x/λ}….............(4)
Again ω=2πf then eqn (3) becomes
y=Asin{2πft−2πx/λ)}
y=Asin2π/λ{fλt−x} here wave velocity v= f.λ then
y=Asin2π/λ{vt−x}…............(5)
If the wave travels from right to left in negative x-axis then the equation for the
displacement is given by
y=Asin2π/λ{vt+x} ……......(6)
Equations (4), (5) & (6) are the expressions of the progressive wave equation.
Numerical
The equation of a progressive wave is y=0. 05sin(200t−2x )where x,y are in
metres and t in seconds, then. Then find,
A) wave length
B) frequency
C) wave velocity
D) amplitude
E) particle velocity when t = 3 s & x= 150 m.
Superposition of waves
It states that “when two or more than two progressive waves travel in a medium
through any point at the same time the net displacement at that point is equal to the
vector sum of the individual displacements of the waves at that point”.
For n numbers particles
Y= y1+y2+y3+…......+yn
The principle of superposition of waves can be explained as:

a. When two waves having same frequency travelling in the same direction meet
each other, constructive interference is formed.
b. If there are number of waves, they travel independently and characteristics of
the wave remain unchanged.
c. The resultant intensity at any point in the medium is not equal to sum of intensity
of the two waves .In constructive interference , the total intensity is greater than
sum of intensities of individual waves whereas in destructive interference the
total intensities is less than the sum of individual intensities.
d. Beats are formed when two waves differing in frequency are superimposed.
Stationary wave
When two identical progressive wave having same amplitude, frequency and
wavelength travelling in same medium with same speed but in opposite direction
superimposed with each other, by their superposition , a new wave is formed which
is called standing wave.
Mathematical treatment of standing wave
Let us consider two identical progressive waves of amplitude of a, frequency f, and
having wave length λ are travelling in the same medium in opposite direction
simultaneously. Then the analytical expressions for these two waves are given by,
Y_1=asin(wt+kx) and
y_2=asin(wt−kx)
Since they are travelling simultaneously, the new wave is formed by their
superposition and the resultant displacement is given by
y=y_1 + y_2……….. (1)
y =asin(wt+kx)+ asin(wt−kx)
y = a [sin(wt+kx)+sin(wt−kx)]
y = 2asin{wt+kx wt−kx/2}.cos{wt+kx−wt+kx/2}
y = 2acoskx. Sinwt
y = A . Sinwt ………… (2)
Where A= 2acoskx, is the resultant amplitude of the superimposed wave. Eq (2) is
the stationary wave. At a point, k = 2π/λ is constant where as amplitude of the
resultant wave, A= 2acoskx,changes with x so that amplitude(A) is not constant.
a) Position of nodes:
At nodes amplitudes of the resultant wave should be zero and this is possible only
when coskx= 0
cos2πx/λ= 0
cos2πx/λ = cos(n+1/2)π
2πx/λ = (n+1/2)π
x = ( n + 1/2)λ/2
where n= 0,1,2,3…….
Hence at the distances x= λ/4,3λ/4,5λ/4,7λ/4 ….. From the boundary nodes are
formed.
b)Position of antinodes.
At antinodes, the amplitude of the resultant wave should be maximum., which is
possible when
coskx = ±1
cos2πx/λ= cosnπ
2πx/λ = nπ
x = nλ/2
where n = 0,1,2,3…
Hence at the distance of x = 0, λ/2,λ,3λ/2,5λ/2..from the boundar, antinodes are
formed
Wave properties
Reflection of wave
When the waves are incident on a boundary between two media, part of energy of
incident waves returns back into the same medium and this phenomenon is called
reflection of waves.
Echo and reverberation

Echo:An echo is a single reflection of a sound wave from a distance
surface.An echo can only be heard by humans when the distance between the
source of the sound and the reflecting body is more than 50 feet in distance.
Reverberation:Reverberation is the persistence of sound after the sound source has

been stopped. It results from a large number of reflected waves which
can be perceived by the brain as a continuous sound.
Time interval between original sources and echo is t= d/v+d/v = 2d/v for
normal ears persistence of hearing is 0.1 second, so d must be greater than
17.5m
Refraction of wave
The bending of wave due to the change in its speed when it travels from on medium
to another medium is called refraction of sound.
1.The frequency of the wave remains unchanged.
2.The incident rays ,refracted rays and normal at a point of incidence always lie in
same plane.
3.No phase difference takes place.
Diffraction of waves
Diffraction: the bending of waves around small* obstacles and the spreading out
of waves beyond small openings.
Interference of waves
Difference between progressive and stationary waves

Progressive Wave

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Progressive Wave

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Progressive wave

Progressive wave or travelling wave

The principle of superposition of waves can be explained as:

Echo and reverberation

Reverberation:Reverberation is the persistence of sound after the sound source has

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