JEE Main 2024 Question Paper Solution Discussion Live JEE Main 2024 Question Paper Solution Discussion Live

Wave Motion

What Is Wave Motion?

Wave motion is the transfer of energy and momentum from one point of the medium to another point of the medium without the actual transport of matter between two points. Wave motion is classified in three different ways, and they are as follows:

  • The medium of propagation
  • The dimensions in which a wave propagates energy
  • The energyΒ transfer

Table of Contents

Classification of Wave Motion

Based on the Medium of Propagation

Classification of Wave Motion - Medium of Propagation

Classification of Wave Motion Based on the Medium of Propagation

Number of Dimensions a Wave Propagates Energy

Classification of Wave Motion

Classification of Wave Motion Based on the Number of Dimensions a Wave Propagates Energy

Based on the Transfer of Energy

  • Standing waves or stationary waves
  • Progressive waves

Standing wavesΒ remain confined to a region without any transfer of energy and momentum, whereas progressive waves transfer energy and momentum between the particles of the medium.

Mechanical Waves (Elastic Waves)

Waves that require a medium for their propagation are called mechanical waves or elastic waves. The particles of the medium execute periodic motion about a mean position when the wave propagates through the medium.

For example, waves on a string.

A mechanical wave is produced due to a disturbance at a point in a medium.

  • The disturbed particle interacts with the neighbouring particle, and its energy is handed over to the next particle (due to the inertia of the medium).
  • The disturbed particles return to the equilibrium position (due to the elasticity of the medium).

Properties of Medium for Mechanical Wave Propagation

  • The medium must possess inertia so that its particles can store kinetic energy.
  • The medium must possess elasticity.
  • The minimum frictional force between the particles of the medium.

Non-Mechanical Waves

Waves which do not require a medium for their propagation are called non-mechanical waves. These types of waves can propagate through a vacuum also. These are transverse in nature. For example, electromagnetic waves and matter waves.

Transverse Wave Motion

The particles of the medium vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave. The region of maximum upward displacement is called the crest, and the region of maximum downward displacement is called the trough.

Transverse wave motion occurs only through a medium which has rigidity modulus or shape conservation. For example, string waves.

Transverse waves

Longitudinal Wave Motion

The particles of the medium vibrate about their equilibrium position in a direction parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave is called longitudinal waves.

Longitudinal waves require a medium with only elasticity of volume (or bulk modulus) for its propagation. In this type of wave motion, the waves travel through a medium in the form of compression and rarefaction.

Longitudinal wave Motion

The region of high pressure is called compression, and the region of low pressure is called rarefaction. For example, sound waves in the tube.

Periodic Wave Motion

  1. If the disturbance is continuous and periodic in nature, then the wave produced is termed a periodic wave.
  2. A periodic wave that varies sinusoidally is called a sinusoidal periodic wave.
  3. The particles of the medium execute simple harmonic motion (SHM) when a sinusoidal periodic wave passes through the medium.

Characteristics of Wave Motion

  • In wave motion, the disturbance travels through the medium due to repeated periodic oscillations of the particles of the medium about their mean position (or) equilibrium position.
  • Energy and momentum are transferred from one point to another without any actual transfer of the particles of the medium.
  • There is a regular phase difference between the particles of the medium because each particle receives disturbance a little later than its preceding particle.
  • The velocity with which wave travels is different from the velocity of the particles with which they vibrate about their mean or equilibrium position.
  • For a given medium, the velocity of the wave motion remains constant, while the particle velocity changes continuously during its vibration about their equilibrium position.
  • The velocity of the particle is maximum at the mean position and zeroes at the extreme position.

Terminologies in Progressive Wave Motion

  • Amplitude
  • Period
  • Wavelength
  • Frequency
  • Wave velocity
  • Phase or phase angle
  • Phase difference
  • Path difference
  • Time difference

Explanation

Amplitude (A):Β The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of any particle of the medium from its equilibrium position.

Period (T): The period of a wave is the time taken by any particle of the medium to complete one vibration during a period (T).

Wavelength (Ξ»): Wavelength is equal to the distance between two consecutive particles of the medium, which are in the same state of vibration. It is equal to the distance travelled by the wave by its time period (T).

Frequency (f):Β ItΒ is the number of vibrations made per second by any particles of the medium (f = 1/T). Since theΒ frequency of a wave is a characteristic property of the source which produces the wave motion, hence, the frequency of a wave does not change when a wave travels from one medium to another medium.

Wave Velocity (v): It is the distance travelled by the wave in one second (v = Ξ»/T). It is determined by the mechanical properties of the medium through which the wave propagates. The velocity of wave motion is measured with respect to the medium; the wave velocity changes when the medium is in motion, i.e., the speed of sound through air changes when the wind is blowing.

β‡’ Check:Β Sound Waves

There are two velocities associated with a wave. One is the wave velocity, and the other one is particle velocity (which is the speed with which the particle of the medium vibrates when the wave passes through the medium).

Phase or Phase Angle (Ξ¦): It represents the state of vibration of the particle of a medium with respect to its mean position.

Phase Difference Ξ”(Ξ¦): It represents the different states of vibration of a particle at two different instants (or) any pair of particles at the same instant. ΔΦ = Ξ¦2Β – Ξ¦1.

Path Difference (Ξ”x) or (x): ItΒ indicates the distance between two points measured along the direction of propagation of the wave through the medium.

Time Difference (Ξ”T): It indicates the time taken by the wave to travel from one point to another through the medium.

The Relationship between Path Difference and Phase Difference

Consider a progressive wave motion advancing in the positive direction of the x-axis.

Progressive Wave Motion

Path Difference vs Phase Difference

Let A and B be two points in the medium through which the wave passes.

The path difference between A and B is, x = x2Β – x1

By the time the wave reaches B from A, the phase of vibration of A has changed. The difference between the states of vibration of A and B is called the phase difference (Ξ”O).

From this wave motion, if we consider any two consecutive crests, c1 and c2, the path difference between them is Ξ», the time difference is T, and the phase difference is 2Ο€.

A path difference of (Ξ») corresponds to a phase difference of 2Ο€, thus, a path difference (x) corresponds to the phase differenceΒ 2Ο€r/Ξ».

Δϕ = (2Ο€x)/Ξ» = 2Ο€/Ξ» (path difference)

Where k = 2Ο€/Ξ» is called the wave number or propagation constant of the wave motion.

A path difference (Ξ») corresponds to a time difference (T); therefore, a path difference (x) corresponds to a time difference of (x/Ξ»)T.

The relations connecting the path difference, phase difference and time difference are given in the below table.

Path Difference Phase Difference Time Difference
X [2Ο€X]/Ξ» XT/Ξ»
Ξ» Γ— [Δϕ/2Ο€] Δϕ [Δϕ/2Ο€] Γ— T
Ξ» Γ— [Ξ”T/T] 2Ο€ Γ— [Ξ”T/T] Ξ”T

β‡’ You might also be interested in the following:

Waves and Simple Harmonic Motion Important Questions

Waves and Simple Harmonic Motion Important Questions

Young’s Double Slit Experiment

Superposition of Waves

Power Transmitted by a Wave

Waves and Rolling Motion – Important Questions

Frequently Asked Questions on Wave Motion

Q1

What is wave motion?

The propagation of energy and momentum from one point to another without the actual transport of matter in an organised manner is known as wave motion.

Q2

What are some examples of wave motion?

Electromagnetic waves, sound waves, waves on a string, seismic waves, etc., are some examples of wave motion.

Q3

What is the amplitude of the wave?

The amplitude of a wave is the distance from the centre line (equilibrium position) to the top of the crest or the bottom point of the trough.

Q4

Which waves can travel in a vacuum?

Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that do not require a medium for propagation, they can travel in a vacuum.

Q5

What is the nature of light waves?

Light waves are transverse in nature.

Q6

List a few characteristics of wave motion.

Wave motion is a disturbance travelling through the medium.
When the wave travels through the medium, its particles execute simple harmonic motion about the mean position.
The vibrating particles of the medium will possess both kinetic and potential energies.
Particles of the medium transfer the energy to the neighbouring particles, but the displacement over one time period is zero.

Q7

What is a mechanical wave or elastic wave?

A mechanical wave is a periodic disturbance which requires a material medium for propagation.

Q8

What is the wavelength of a longitudinal wave motion?

The distance between two successive compressions or between two successive rarefactions is known as the wavelength of a longitudinal wave.

Test your Knowledge on Wave motion

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published.

*

*

  1. good explanation