PHYSICS : (PAPER 3, UNIT-1)

TOPIC : Wave Motion :

By :- SHAILEE SONI MA'AM

 # WAVE MOTION :
 PERIODIC MOTION : A motion that repeat itself at regular
interval of time is called periodic motion.
o Example : Revolution of earth around the Sun.
 OSCILLATORY MOTION : A periodic to and fro motion of a
body about a fixed point is called an oscillatory motion .
o Example : The motion of pendulum
 SIMPLE PENDULUM : A simple pendulum consists of a small
metal ball (called bob) or a mass suspended from a fixed
point by a long thread such that the bob is free to swing
back and forth under the influence of gravity.
 WAVE MOTION : The process of transmission of
disturbance created somewhere in an elastic medium in
all directions around it and along with the disturbances
energy transmits is called wave motion.
 The particles of the medium only vibrate about their mean
position and do not leave their original respective position.
 There are three conditions required for the formation of
a wave :
a. A vibrating body called the source is necessary to create
the disturbance.
b. An elastic medium called the propagating medium
through which the wave transmit.
c. Particles of the medium which take part in the process of
onward transmission.
# TYPES OF WAVES :
 1. MECHANICAL WAVES (ELASTIC WAVES) :
The waves which propagate in materialistic elastic
medium like solid, liquid or gas are called mechanical waves.
 Sub-types of Mechanical Waves :
 LONGITUDINAL MECHANICAL WAVE :
 If in an elastic medium a wave propagates or transmits
along the direction or parallel of particles vibration then
the wave is called longitudinal mechanical wave.
 This can be generated or produced in all mediums like
solids, liquids and gases.
 This wave transmit through compression and rarefaction
form. In compression the pressure and the density of the
medium is maximum, while in rare faction the pressure
and the density of the medium is minimum.
 Examples : Sound waves in air, earthquake waves etc.
 TRANSVERSE MECHANICAL WAVE :
 If in an elastic medium wave propagate or transmits along the
perpendicular direction of the particle vibration then the wave
is called transverse mechanical wave. This can be generated in
solids and liquids. But it cannot be generated through.
 2. ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE :
 The waves are whose propagation or transmission does not
need any elastic medium and which is generated by the
mutual oscillations of electric and magnetic fields. Those
fields are perpendicular to each other and such waves are
called non mechanical or electromagnetic waves.
 Examples : Light waves, radio waves, UV rays, X-ray,
Gamma-rays etc.
Types of Electromagnetic Wave :-
 Standing waves or stationary waves - Standing waves
remain confined to a region without any transfer of energy
and momentum,
 Progressive waves - progressive waves transfer energy and
momentum between the particles of the medium
 Matter Waves
According to De-Broglie, a wave is associated with each
moving particle which is called matter waves.
λ = hp.
 h is Planck’s constant
 p is the moment of the moving particle.
 Distinguish Between Mechanical waves and Electromagnetic Waves:
Mechanical Waves Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves are produced
A mechanical wave is a disturbance in
once electrically charged particles
matter that transfers energy through
accelerate and interact with other
the matter.
particles.
Electromagnetic waves can travel
Mechanical waves require a medium to
through any medium and even through
travel.
a vacuum.
The propagation of mechanical waves Electromagnetic waves are caused due
depends on the elastic properties of the to the varying magnetic and electric
medium through which the waves pass. fields.
 Mechanical Waves Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves are produced
mechanical waves are caused by wave
by the vibration of the charged
amplitude and not by frequency
particles.
Mechanical waves travel through medium Electromagnetic waves travel through
with lower speed. medium with high speed.
They can travel short distances compared
They can travel very long distances.
to electromagnetic waves.
They can move as longitudinal or
They move in form of transverse waves.
transverse waves.
Examples: Sound waves, seismic waves, Examples: Light waves, radiant energy,
wave produced in rope, surface waves etc. micro waves, radio waves, etc.
# Classification Based on the Motion of Wave in a Space :
Depending on the motion of wave in a space the waves
are classified into three types :
 ONE-DIMENSIONAL WAVES : The wave which moves in a
straight line is called a one-dimensional wave
o Example : transverse wave set in a rope.
 TWO-DIMENSIONAL WAVES : The wave which moves in a
plane is called a two-dimensional wave.
o Example : ripple in the water.
 THREE-DIMENSIONAL WAVES : The wave which moves in a
space is called a three-dimensional wave.
o Example : Radio wave from transmitting tower.
# Classification Based on Requirement of Medium :
 AMPLITUDE (A) : The amplitude of a wave is the maximum
displacement of any particle of the medium from its
equilibrium position.
 TIME PERIOD (T) : The time taken by the vibration of the
particles of the medium in completing one oscillation is
called time period.
 FREQUENCY (F) : The number of oscillations by the particle
of the medium in one second is called frequency.
o Frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength.
o The SI unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz).
 WAVELENGTH (λ) : In case of transverse wave, the
distance between two successive crests or
troughs is called wavelength.
o In case of longitudinal wavelength distance
between two consecutive compressions or rare
factions is called wavelength.
o The SI unit of wavelength is meter.
 PHASE OF THE WAVE (ϕ) : The state of motion of a particle
of the medium at a given point of time is called phase of
the wave.
 WAVE SPEED (v) : The rate of distance travelled by the
wave is called wave speed.