Physic 1

2

1.

Waves And Waves Phenomena

LEARNING OUTCOMES After completing the unit, students should be able to:

2. 3. 4. 5.

Describe and differentiate transverse and longitudinal waves. Explain and calculate the values of various wave features such as wavelength, speed and intensity. Describe and illustrate superposition and interference of waves Describe Doppler Effect and calculate the effects on the wave frequency. Explain water wave phenomena.

Waves and Waves Phenomena

2.1

WAVE MOTION What Is Wave? Wave is the repeating and periodic disturbance which moves(travel) through a medium from one location to another, usually with transference of energy.

There are three main types of waves: 1. Mechanical waves. All these waves are governed by Newton’s Laws and the can exist only within a material medium such as water, air and rock. 2. Electromagnetic waves. Common examples are ultraviolet light, radio and television waves, microwaves, x rays and radar waves. These waves required no material medium to exist. 3. Matter waves. These waves are associated with electrons, protons, and other fundamental particles, and even atoms and molecules. Water waves and sound waves are example of mechanical waves. • Mechanical waves have 2 main features: o Governed by Newton’s Law Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it. o Can exist only within a material medium, such as solid, water and air.

2.2.1.

Travelling Waves There are two types of travelling waves: • Transverse waves o For the transverse wave: wave displacement is perpendicular to the direction of motion or the direction of energy transport. o Examples: Light, electromagnetic radiation, plucking a guitar string.

Figure 2.1: Transverse wave

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Waves and Waves Phenomena

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Longitudinal waves o For the longitudinal wave, the motion of the elements is parallel to the direction of the...