Physic Tutorials

Wave Motion And Points On Wave For Cambridge A level And UTME

In this article, I will discuss part of wave (e.g lowest and highest point of waves) and classes of waves. A wave allows energy to be transferred from one point to another without any particle of the medium traveling between the two points.

Classes of Waves

Wave motion can be classified base on:

  • Mode of Propagation

The class of waves under this are

Mechanical wave: this requires a material medium for propagation

Electromagnetic wave: This travels in a vacuum

  • Mode of vibration

The class of waves under this are:

(i) Longitudinal waves

(ii) Transverse waves

Diagramatic representation of waves

sinewave1

Points On A Wave

points on a wave

  • Rest position – the undisturbed position of particles when they are not vibrating.
  • Peak or Crest – the highest point above the rest position.
  • Trough – the lowest point below the rest position.
  • Amplitude – the maximum displacement of a point of a wave from its rest position.
  • Period (T): it is the time taken for a particle to undergo one complete cycle of oscillation.
  • Frequency (f): it is the number of oscillations performed by a particle per unit time.
  • Wavelength (λ): it is the distance between any two successive particles that are in phase, e.g. it is the distance between 2 consecutive crests or 2 troughs.
  • Wave speed (v): The speed at which the waveform travels in the direction of the propagation of the wave.
  • Wave front: A line or surface joining points which are at the same state of oscillation, i.e. in phase, e.g. a line joining crest to crest in a wave.
  • Displacement : it is the Position of an oscillating particle from its equilibrium position.
  • Amplitude: it is the maximum magnitude of the displacement of an oscillating particle from its equilibrium position.

To deduce V = fλ

capture

capture

capture

no of cycle = n

time = Tn

distance = λn

substitute all into the velocity = distance/time

capture

Note

capture

F is the frequency and the S.I base unit is Hertz(Hz)

T is the period and the S.I base unit is second(s)

λ is the wavelength and the S.I base unit is meter(m)

therefore,

V = fλ

Displacement-distance graph and Displacement-time graph

wavessinusodialtimedistance

The first graph is a displacement-distance graph. On this graph you can find wavelenght and amplitude

The second graph is a displacement-time graph. On this graph you can find period, frquency and amplitude

The only difference between the two graphs is what you can calculate from it.

Phase difference: this is an amount by which one oscillation leads or lags behiod another. it measures in degree or radian.

Phase difference between waves that are exactly out of phase is π radians or 180 degrees

capture

progressive wave: it is a propagation of energy as a results of vibrations of waves which move energy from one place to another.

Intensity: it is defined as power incident per unit area. The intensity of wave generally decreases as it travels along. The two reasons for this are:

  • The wave may spread out
  • The wave may be absorbed or scattered

As wave spread out, its amplitude decreases

Read: Longitudinal and Transverse waves

The unit of intensity is capture

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I is the intensity

A is amplitude

f is frequency

r is the distance from the source

Electromagnetic waves travel with the same speed in space

the speed of electromagnetic wave is capture

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Recommended: Solved questions on wave motion

Related Article: Short note on oscillation

Frequently Asked Questions On Waves

  • What is the lowest point on a wave: The lowest point is the trough
  • What is the highest point on a wave – Crest

Bolarinwa Olajire

A tutor with a demonstrated history of working in the education industry. Skilled in analytical skills. Strong education professional with a M. SC focused in condensed matter. You can follow me on Twitter by clicking on the icon below to ask questions.

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