PHYSICS

FORM 5

Chapter 6

Waves
Compiled by
Cikgu Desikan
 Chapter 6
Waves
Dear students,
What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.
~ Ralph Marston

Learning Objectives :
FORM 5 PHYSICS

1. Understanding waves 5. Analysing interference of waves

2. Analysing reflection of waves 6. Analysing sound waves
3. Analysing refraction of waves 7. Analysing electromagnetic waves
4. Analysing diffraction of waves
2015

Analysis of Past Year Questions

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
P1 6 6 6 8 7 6 4 7
A 1 1 1 2 1 1 - 1
P2 B - - - 1 - 1 - -
C 1 1 - - - - - 1
A - - 1 1 - 1 - -
P3
B - - - - 1 - 1 -
 Chapter 6
Waves
Dear students,
Either you run the day or the day runs you.

Concept Map

Wavefront Waves Oscillating/ Vibrating system

Loss of energy
Propagation
Types of waves Displacement, y Damping
Amplitude, a
Longitudinal Transverse
Frequency, f
Resonance
Example Wavefront, λ
Sound Water Light Electromagnetic Formula
Speed Graph
phenomena
Properties V=fλ

Pitch Reflection Refraction Spectrum y-t y-s

Loudness Diffraction Interference

6.1 Understanding waves

What is waves ? How do waves transfer energy?

When energy is transferred by a wave

from a vibrating source to a distant
receiver, there is no transfer of matter
between the two points.

Example

Type :
• Sound
by vibrating mechanical bodies
such as a guitar strings or a
tuning fork

• Light
result of vibrations of electrons in When the string is shaken up and down, a
an atom disturbance moves along the length of the
string. It is the disturbance that moves
• Water along the length of the string, not parts of
by a disturbance on a still water the string itself.
surface
4
Example

 Drop a stone in a quite pond.

 It will produce a wave that moves out from the center in expanding circles.
 It is the disturbance that moves, not the water.
 After the disturbance passes, the water is where it was before the wave was produced .

Wave moves outwards

Cork moves up and down as
the wave passes

The energy transferred from a ____________________(the stone) to a ___________

(the cork) which does not involve the transfer of ___________(water).

The string and water is the medium through which wave energy travels.

5
What is Transverse Wave ?

A wave in which the vibration of particles in the medium is _____________________to

the direction of propagation of the wave.

direction of wave
side to side propagation
movement

fixed
end

direction of vibration
of particles

The motion of the particles medium (spring) is at right angles to the direction in which the
wave travels.

Example

1.
2.

6
What is Longitudinal Wave ?

A longitudinal wave is a wave which the vibration of particles in the medium is

the direction of propagation of the wave.

backwards and
forwards movement
direction of wave
propagation
fixed
end

rarefaction rarefaction
direction of vibration of
particles

The particles of the medium (spring) move along the direction of the wave. The wave that travels
along the spring consists of a series of compression and rarefaction.

Example

1.

7
Direction Direction

Process of
transferring
energy from one
location to
another

Transverse Produced by Longitudinal

an oscillating
Waves Waves
or vibrating
Example motion Example

Does not
involve the
transfer of
matter

8
What is a ripple tank?

The phenomenon of water waves can be

Lamphouse
investigated using a ripple tank.

The water waves are produced by a

To cell and
vibrating bar on the water surface. rheostat
The tank is leveled so that the depth of Down for circular
water in the tank is uniform to ensure water waves
waves propagate with uniform speed Straight wave Stroboscope
dipper
Rubber
Band

Eccentric Sponge
beach
Water

Wave pattern on
white screen

9
 The water acts as a lens to produce a pattern of
crest light from lamp bright and dark regions on a piece of white
paper placed under the tank when light passes
through it.
trough Water waves have crests and troughs.

water Crest
the highest position of the wave acts as a
convex lens

Trough
the lowest position acts as a concave lens.

Light rays from the lamp on top will focus onto

screen the white screen below.
dark bright dark bright dark The bright lines correspond to the crests.
The dark lines correspond to the trough.

10
Lines joining all the points of the same phase
are called wavefronts. The wavefronts of both
transverse wave and
longitudinal wave are
perpendicular to the direction of
propagation of the waves.

Wavefront

2. Circular wavefronts
1. Plane wavefronts

11
Vibration/Oscillation Amplitude (a)
The movement from one
extreme position to the other
and back to the same
position

Amplitude relates to
Waves loudness in sound and
brightness in light.
SI unit: meter, m

Wavelength (λ)
The distance between two adjacent points of
the same phase on a wave.

The distance between two successive The distance between two successive
crests or two successive troughs compressions or two successive
rarefactions in a sound wave. 12
Period (T) Frequency, f

SI unit is second (s). SI unit is Hertz (Hz)

Waves

Relationship
Wave Speed (v)
The relationship between speed,
The speed of a wave is the
wavelength and frequency
measurement of how fast a crest is
moving from a fixed point.
SI unit is ms-1.

Displacement-distance graph Displacement-time graph

Displacement Displacement

Distance Time

13
Damping
Graph
Damping is

The amplitude of an oscillating system will

gradually decrease and become zero when
the oscillation stops.

Causes
 To enable an oscillating system to go on
1. Loss of energy in the system to
continuously, an external force must be
overcome frictional forces or air
applied to the system.
resistance →
.
 The external force supplies energy to the
system. Such a motion is called a _________
2. Loss of energy due to the extension
________________.
and compression of the molecules in
the system →
 The frequency of a system which oscillates
.
freely without the action of an external force is
called the .

14
 ?
Resonance
Experiment in
Barton’s pendulum
Resonance occurs when a system is made to oscillate
at a frequency to its natural frequency How does resonance occur in
by an external force. The resonating system oscillates at the two pendulum of equal
its maximum______________________. length?

Good Effects

1. The tuner in a radio or television enables us to

select the programmes we are interested. The
circuit in the tuner is adjusted until resonance is
achieved, at the frequency transmitted by a
particular station selected. Hence a strong
electrical signal is produced.

2. The loudness of music produced by musical

instruments such as the trumpet and flute is the
result of resonance in the air.

Bad Effects

1. A bridge can collapse

when the amplitude of
its vibration increases
as a result of
resonance.
Tacoma Bridge 15
6.2 Analysing reflection of waves
Lamphouse
 Reflection of waves occurs when a wave
strikes an obstacle.
 The wave undergoes a in To cell and
direction of propagation when it is reflected. rheostat
Down for circular
 The value of frequency (f), wavelength (λ) waves
and speed (v) remain the same after Straight wave
reflection. dipper
Rubber
Band
Law of Reflection:
Reflector Sponge
beach
Water

Incident wave : Complete the diagrams to show reflection of water

the wave before it strikes the waves.
obstacle white screen
a) b)
Reflected wave:
the wave which has undergone a
change in direction of
propagation after reflection.
i = angle of incident – the angle
between the direction of propagation
of incident wave and the normal
r = angle of reflection – the angle
between the direction of propagation
16
6.3 Analysing refraction of waves

Refraction of waves After refraction, the wave has the same,

A in its direction as the waves pass but a different speed, and
from one medium to another. It occurs when direction of propagation.
there is a in the of Lamphouse
the wave at the boundary of two mediums.
The relationship between v and λ
of a water wave in deep and To cell and
shallow water: rheostat
Down for circular
waves
v=fλ f is constant Straight wave
dipper
Rubber
v is directly Band
proportional to λ
Plastic
plate Sponge
beach
=k Water

v1 v2 v1 > v2
λ1 λ2 λ1 > λ2

Shallow water white screen

Deep water Deep water
Plastic plate
17
 Shallow water

Frequency Normal
Deep Normal unchanged Shallow Deep
water water water

Wave
Speed
Water waves changes Water waves
passes from passes from
deep water to shallow water to
shallow water deep water
Wavelength
changes

Water passing from Water passing from

the deep region to the shallow region to
the shallow region, Angle of the deep region, the
the water wave is Refraction water wave is
refracted toward changes refracted away from
the normal. the normal. 18
Complete the diagrams which show refraction of water waves.

1) 4)

Deep water Shallow water Deep water Deep water Deep water

2) Shallow water

5)

Deep water Shallow water Deep water

3)

Deep water Deep water

Shallow water

Deep water Shallow water Deep water

19
Exercise 6.3

1. A plane wave has a wavelength of 2 cm 2. The diagram shows a plane water wave
and a velocity of 8 cm s-1 as it moves over moving from one area P to another area Q
the surface of shallow water. When the of different depth.
plane wave moves into an area of greater
depth, its velocity becomes 12 cm s-1. P Q
What is
a) the wavelength
b) the frequency of the wave in the area
of greater depth? 12 cm 12 cm
If the speed of water wave in P is 18 cms-1,
what is the speed of water wave in Q?

20
6.4 Analysing diffraction of waves

Diffraction Of Waves
A phenomenon in which waves spread out as they pass through a or
round a small .
Frequency, wavelength and Factors that influence
speed of waves do not the effect of diffraction
change.

Changes in the
direction of
propagation and Characteristics of
the pattern of the diffracted waves
waves.

The effect of diffraction is obvious if:

1. the size of the gap or obstacle is
The amplitude of the
__________________________.
diffraction wave
decreases (its energy
2. the wavelength is _____________
decrease).
_________________________

The effect of diffraction is obvious if the shape of the diffracted waves more spread out or
more circular.
21
Diffraction of Water Waves Observation
Lamphouse (a) Wide gap
The waves are
To cell and bend only at the
rheostat edges after
Down for circular passing through
waves
the gap. The effect
Straight wave
dipper of diffraction is not
Rubber obvious
Band
(b) Narrow gap
The waves are
Sponge circular and
Obstacle beach
appear to
Water originated from the
small gap. The
effect of diffraction
is obvious

(c) Obstacle
white screen Straight water
wave propagate
towards an
*** obstacle.
As the size of the gap or obstacle is smaller, the
effect of diffraction becomes obvious.
22
Diffraction of Light

a) Single Slit b) Pin hole

alternate
bright bands and dark bright and
bands of different width. dark ring

Screen Light spread after

passing the pin
hole
Light
spreads
out behind
the slit
Laser beam

1. Light is diffracted if it passes through a

0.1mm
narrow slit comparable in size to its
wide slit
wavelength.
2. However, the effect is not obvious as the
size of the slit increases.
Laser beam
3. This is because the wavelengths of light are
very short.
23
Diffraction of Sound We can hear the sound of a radio placed
nearby a corner of a wall but we cannot see
the radio. Why?
Radio

1. The street cleaner can hear the sound of the radio

even though it is behind an obstacle.
2. The sound of the radio spreads around the corner Cleaner
of the wall due to diffraction of sound wave.

Piccolo
24
6.5 Analysing interference of waves

Interference of waves
A phenomenon in which two waves superpose to form a resultant wave of
greater or lower amplitude.

25
How does interference occur?

 Wave interference occurs when

two waves meet while propagating Lamphouse
along the same medium.
 When the two waves are
superposed, interference will occur To cell and
either constructive interference or rheostat
destructive interference.
spherical
dippers
Rubber
Band
coherent sources
Sponge
beach
Water

white screen

26
Principle of superposition of Waves
When two waves interfered, the resulting displacement of the medium at any location is the
algebraic sum of the displacements of the individual waves.

Superposition of two waves originating from two coherent sources.

Constructive Interference

Superposition of two crests Superposition of two troughs

Resultant
Amplitude
Cork
2a
a a

Destructive Interference
Superposition of a crest and a trough

27
 Interference of Waves

Occurs when crest of one wave coincide with Occurs when the crests or troughs of both
the trough of the other wave, thus canceling waves coincide to produce a wave with crests
each other with the result that the resultant and troughs of maximum amplitude.
amplitude is zero.

Keys :
• Maximum crest wave (2 crests meet)
× Zero amplitude (trough meets crest) A point where constructive
о Maximum trough wave (2 troughs meet) interference occurs.

Node line Antinode line

A point where destructive

interference occurs.

Wavefront (troughs)

Wavefront (crests)

S2 Waves sources S1
28
 Young’s Formula
Factors affecting the interference pattern
The relationship between λ, a, x and D
The interference pattern depend on the
Node line
x x Antinode line value of x. When x changes, the
interference pattern also changes .

xαλ
D
λ D x
a

S1 a S2 ****Draw graphs

1 xαD
xα
a
a = distance between two coherent sources
λ = wavelength
x = distance between two consecutive node (or
antinode) lines
D = distance from the two sources to the point of
measurement of x
29
Interference of Lights Occurs when an incident light wave
passes through a double slit.
An interference pattern is produced as a
Screen result of the superposition of two
Double slit emerging light waves from the double
slit.
Single slit
x
Young’s double-slit experiment

 Use monochromatic light (_____________

Light ___________________________________)
source x  The double slit must be very narrow (about
0.5 mm) to produce a clear interference
pattern because the wavelength of light is
Interference pattern very small.
 When light from monochromatic source
passes through a double slit, two sources of
a = Distance between the two
coherent light are produced.
slits on the double slit
plate  The interference pattern consists of alternate
D =Distance between the bright and dark fringes that can be seen on a
ax
 double-slit plate and the
screen
distant screen.

D λ = The wavelength of light  Bright fringes :

(depends on its color.)  Dark fringes :
x = Distance between two
consecutive bright fringes
or dark fringes. 30
Exercise 6.5
1. In the interference of two coherent sources 2. In a Young’s double slit experiment, the
of waves, the separation between two distance between the double slit and the
spherical dippers is 3 cm and the distance screen is 4.0 m and the separation of the
between two consecutive node lines is 4 cm two slits is 0.5 mm. Calculate the distance
measured at a distance of 15 cm from the between two consecutive bright fringes for
two coherent sources of waves. Calculate violet light with a wavelength of 4.0 x 10-7 m.
the wavelength of the water waves
originating from the sources.

31
3. The wavelength of light can be determined 4. In an experiment on the interference of
with a double-slit plate. waves, two loudspeakers are placed at a
distance of 1.5 m from each other. They
are connected to an audio signal generator
to produce coherent sound waves at a
frequency of 0.5 kHz. Calculate
(a) the wavelength of the sound wave if
the speed of sound is 300 ms-1
(b) the distance between two consecutive
soft sounds at a perpendicular
14 mm
distance of 5 m from the source of the
The diagram shows the pattern of sound.
interference fringes obtained in a Young’s
double-slit experiment. The separation of
distance of the two slits is 0.25 mm and the
distance between the screen and the
double slit plate is 3.0 m.
Calculate the wavelength of light used in
the experiment.

32
 Interference of Sound Wave 1. The two loud speakers are the sources of the
two coherent sound waves as they are
Occurs when two coherent sound waves connected to the same audio signal generator.
interact on the basis of the principle of 2. A student will hear alternating loud and soft
superposition to produce a pattern of sounds as he walks along the straight path
alternating loud and soft sounds . (XY) at a distance of D from the
loudspeakers.
3. The alternating loud and soft sounds is
caused by interference of the sound waves.
Loudspeaker
X
K
Interference
Audio signal L
pattern
generator
K

Audio signal
generator
L
K K = Loud sound
L L = Soft sound

K
L

Loudspeakers K

a= the distance between the two loudspeakers Y Loud sound:

D =Distance between the loudspeakers and the path
_________________________
along which interference can be detected
λ = The wavelength of sound waves is influenced by the Soft sound :
frequency of the audio signal generator.
x = Distance between two consecutive positions where _________________________
loud sound is heard 33
6.6 Analysing sound waves
 Sound is a form of energy How is sound produced by a vibrating
propagated as waves that make objects ?
our eardrums .  Sound waves are produced when a vibrating
 Sound waves are caused by object causes the air molecules around it to
_______________ objects. ___________.
 Sound waves are  When a tuning fork vibrates, layers of air
_______________ waves. vibrate and the sound energy is propagated
through the air around it in the form of waves.
How the loudness relates to amplitude?  When the tuning fork moves forwards, the air
is compressed.
The loudness of the sound depends on its  When the tuning fork moves backwards, the
amplitude. air layers are pulled apart and cause a
If the amplitude is increased, the loudness rarefaction.
increases.  Therefore, a series of and
______________ will produce sound.
How the pitch relates to frequency ?
direction
A high pitch sound corresponds to a high
frequency and a low pitch sound
Vibration λ propagation

corresponds to a low frequency of vibration.

compression rarefaction
Tuning Fork
34
Relationship between amplitude and Relation between pitch and frequency of
loudness of sound sound

The audio signal generator is switched on and The audio signal is switched on and the
the frequency of the sound wave is adjusted to loudness is adjusted to a suitable level. The
a suitable level. The loudness of the sound is frequency of the sound is varied from low to
varied from a lot to a high level gradually. high gradually.
Observation of the shape of the sound wave Observation of the shape of the sound wave
displayed on the screen of oscilloscope. displayed on the screen of oscilloscope.
Amplitude of Loudness Frequency of Pitch of
Wave form Wave form
sound wave of sound sound wave sound

Write : Low / Medium / High

Write : Low / Medium / High
CRO

Audio signal
generator Microphone

Loudspeaker 35
Transmitter, R
Detector Ultrasound in medicine
P
Abdomen
The reflection of sound is called echoes.
• Ultrasound waves is used to scan and capture the
image of a fetus in a mother’s womb and the image
of internal organ in a body.
• Transmitter P emits ultrasound downwards to the
Fetus
fetus.
• Detector R receives the ultrasound (echoes) reflected by the various parts of the fetus.
• The soft tissues of the fetus absorb most of the incident ultrasound, reflect very little.
• The bony parts will absorb very little, but reflect most of the ultrasound.
• The reflected ultrasound will produce an image of contrasting brightness.

Applications of reflection of sound waves

ship
Sonar
• Sonar is the technique of using ultrasound to locate underwater
objects or to measure the depth of a seabed.
• Ultrasound signal is sent out from a transmitter.
• Its echo from the seabed is detected by a receiver which is
Receiver Transmitter
connected to an electrical recording circuit.
• The time interval, t between the sending and receiving of the
ultrasound signal after reflection from the seabed is measured.

• The depth of the seabed, seabed

where v is the velocity of sound in water.

36
A bat can navigate in darkness

• When ultrasonic waves emitted by the bat hit an

object, they are reflected back and received by the
bat.
• The time between the emission of the sound
waves and reception of the reflected waves
enables the bat to estimate the position of the
object accurately.
• This enables the bat to adjust its direction to avoid
knocking at the object.

Human echolocation lets blind man 'see‘!!!

Exercise 6.6
1. An ultrasonic wave is used to determine the depth of a seabed. A pulse of ultrasound is
generated and travels to the seabed and reflected by it. The time taken by a pulse of
ultrasonic wave to travel to and fro the seabed is 0.28 s. It the speed of sound in the water
is 1 500 ms-1, calculate the depth of the seabed.

37
6.7 Analysing Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic spectrum

Radio waves
long medium short micro ultra X-rays gamma
VHF UHF infra red light rays
waves waves waves waves violet

-3 -6 -9
1000 m 1m 1mm 1 x 10 1 x 10 1 x 10
mm mm mm

• It consists of a group of waves with similar nature.

• The members of the electromagnetic spectrum arranged in increasing frequencies and
decreasing wavelengths are radio waves, microwaves, infrared rays, visible light,
ultraviolet rays, X – rays and gamma rays.
• Radio waves have the longest wavelength but are of low frequency waves. They carry
very little energy.
• Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength but are of high frequency waves. They carry
very high energy.
38
Electro- Magnetic Waves

It is produced when electric and magnetic field vibrate at right angle to each other. The direction
of propagation of the wave is perpendicular to both fields .

Electric field, E

Electric field

Direction of
propagation

Magnetic field
Magnetic field, B

Visible Light
Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see. Light can be seen as the
colours of rainbow.
• Each colour has a different wavelength.
• Red has the longest wavelength and violet the shortest.
• When all the waves are seen together, they make white light.
• When white light shines through a prism, the white light is broken apart into the seven
colours of the visible light spectrum.
• Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

39
Properties Of Electro-magnetic Waves

• They transfer energy from one point to another.

• They are transverse waves.
• They can travel through vacuum.
• They travel at the same speed through vacuum (speed of light , c = 3 x 108 ms-1)
• They all show wave properties such as reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference.
• They obey the wave equation, v = fλ.

Applications Of Electro-magnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Sources Applications

wave
Gamma Rays Radioactive • Engineering – to detect leakages in
substances underground pipes
• Medicine – cancer treatment
• Food sterilisation
• Medicine
X- rays x-ray tube  X-ray photograph of the internal organs of
the body, e.g to locate bone fracture.
 Cancer treatment
• Engineering – to detect cracks in metal
• Checking of luggage at airports

40
Applications Of Electro-magnetic Waves

Electromagnetic Sources Applications

wave
Ultraviolet rays The sun, mercury • Cause sunburn
vapour lamp. • Stimulates the formation of vitamin D needed
for assimilation of calcium and the prevention
of rickets.
• Detect fake notes
• Fluorescent lamp
• Sterilization of surgical tools and plant
seedlings.
Visible light Flames, lamps, • Visual communication
the sun • Photography
• Photosynthesis
Infrared radiation Hot objects such as • A sensation of warmth is felt when IR falls on
flames, the human the skin.
body, the sun • Thermal imaging and physiotherapy
• Infrared binoculars for night time vision. IR
radiation emitted by a living thing can be
detected.
• Remote control for TV / VCR

41
Applications Of Electro-magnetic Waves
Electromagnetic wave Sources Applications
Microwaves Radar transmitter • Communication system with satellites
Microwaves oven • Used in radar system
• Cooking
• Cellular (mobile) phone service
Radio waves Electrons oscillating in • For broadcasting and wireless
aerials communication
Radio/ television • UHF (ultra high frequency) radio waves
– television and hand phones
• VHF (very high frequency) radio wave –
local radio FM and wireless
communication used by the police

“ It you thought that science was certain -- well,

that is just an error on your part.
.
”
Richard P. Feynman
(1918 - 1988)
42
Detrimental effects of excessive exposure to certain components of the electromagnetic
spectrum

Radio waves No evidence of hazard

Microwaves 1. Internal heating of body tissues when they enter our body.
2. Long exposure to mobile phones can cause brain tumor and
inner ear complications in children.
Infrared 1. Skin burns
Visible light No evidence of hazard
Ultraviolet 1. Damage to the surface cells (including skin cancer) and
blindness
X-rays 1. Damage to cells.
Gamma rays 2. Cancer, mutation
3. The mutated cells may result in the abnormal growth of cancer
cells.
4. Pregnant mothers who are exposed to X-rays and radiations
too frequently may cause abnormalities in new born babies.

43
Enrichment Exercise
Paper 2 Section B

As an engineer, you asked to set up a public address system for a concert hall. Using relevant
physics concepts, suggest and explain the design and modification that can be made to produce
a loud and clear sound.
i. The suitability of the interior design to reduce the effects of echoes.
ii. The arrangement of the speakers.

Design / Modification Explanation

44
Paper 2 Section C
Diagram 6.1 shows a tuning fork vibrating near a microphone. The sound waves
detected by the microphone are displayed on a cathode-ray oscilloscope.
When the tuning fork is struck harder, the sound produced is louder and the sound waves produced
are as shown in Diagram 6.2.

Diagram 6.1 Diagram 6.2

45
(a) (i) What is the meaning of longitudinal waves? [1 mark]

(ii) Explain how a tuning fork produces sound waves. [4 marks]

(b) Using Diagram 6.1 and Diagram 6.2,

(i) Compare the amplitudes of vibration of the tuning forks.

(ii) Compare the peak values, a1 and a2, of the waves displayed by the oscilloscope.

(iii) Relate the peak values displayed by the oscilloscope to the amplitude of the sound
wave.

(iv) Relate the peak value to the loudness of the sound produced.

(v) Hence, deduce the relationship between the loudness of the sound and the amplitude of
the wave. [5 marks]

46
 Diagram 6.3

Reflected sound
Transmitted sound

(c) Diagram 6.3 shows a boat using sound waves to measure the depth of the sea.
(i) Using your knowledge of the nature and phenomena of waves, explain how the
following aspects of the wave affects the results obtained.
• Frequency of the waves
• Energy of the waves [4 marks]
(ii) List the equipment needed for the measurement. [4 marks]
(iii) Explain how the depth of the sea is determined. [2 marks]

47