WAVE

A wave is a disturbance that

transfers energy through matter or space, with little or no
associated mass transport (Mass transfer). Waves
consist of oscillations or vibrations of a
physical medium or a field, around relatively fixed
locations. From the perspective of mathematics, waves,
as functions of time and space, are a class of signals.
There are two main types of
waves: mechanical and electromagnetic. Mechanical
waves propagate through a physical matter, whose
substance is being deformed. Restoring forces then
reverse the deformation. For example, sound waves
propagate via air molecules colliding with their
neighbours. When the molecules collide, they also
bounce away from each other (a restoring force). This
keeps the molecules from continuing to travel in the
direction of the wave. Electromagnetic waves do not
require a medium. Instead, they consist of periodic
oscillations of electrical and magnetic fields originally
generated by charged particles, and can therefore travel
through a vacuum. These types vary in wavelength, and
include radio waves, microwaves, infrared
radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-
rays and gamma rays.
Waves are described by a wave equation which sets out
how the disturbance proceeds over time. The
mathematical form of this equation varies depending on
the type of wave. Further, the behaviour of particles
in quantum mechanics are described by waves. In
addition, gravitational waves also travel through space,
which are a result of a vibration or movement
in gravitational fields.
A wave can be transverse, where a disturbance creates
oscillations that are perpendicular to the propagation of
energy transfer, or longitudinal: the oscillations
are parallel to the direction of energy propagation. While
mechanical waves can be both transverse and
longitudinal, all electromagnetic waves are transverse
in free space.
Wave Definition

A disturbance causing energy transfer from one location to

another location is called a Wave. A medium is a substance
or material that carries the wave. The highest point on a
wave is called the peak. The lowest point is called the
trough. The peak of a wave and the trough of a wave are
always twice the wave's amplitude apart from each other.
Wave motions transfer energy from one place to another.

There are two modes of energy transfer: (Check Spacing)

1) Particle motion
2) Wave motion (to be in capitals)
A wave is produced when a vibrating source periodically
disturbs the first particle of a medium. This creates a
wave pattern that begins to travel along the medium from
particle to particle. When no particle is transferred from
one part of space to other although energy is transferred
then we call it wave or simply wave.
The disturbance can be due to natural reasons like wind,
air, storm etc. or it can be caused intentionally. During
energy transfer of the wave from one point to another, the
wave possesses the energy. This energy is called wave
energy.

Waves Properties

Transmission and media: (spacing) The movement of

the wave is mostly rectilinear or in a straight line. A
medium can be a bounded medium, a linear medium, a
uniform medium, an isotropic and an anisotropic
medium. These are also called as the transmission
medium such as solid, liquid, gas or plasma that can
transmit energy waves. Waves undergo the following
phenomena namely reflection, interference, absorption,
refraction, diffraction, polarization, dispersion.
1)Reflection: The properties of reflection on a mirror are
also followed by a wave. When a wave reflects then the
angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

2)Interference: When waves of equal frequency and

nearly equal amplitude are super imposed then the
phenomenon of interference occurs. It focuses on two
kinds such as constructive interference and destructive
interference.

3)Absorption: The property of absorption is also followed

during wave motion. It can be absorbed by some
surface leading to the change in the type of energy.

4Refraction: While traveling from one medium to another

the wave may change its speed. This property is called
Refraction. The amount of refraction is dependent on the
refractive index of the medium.

5)Diffraction: The phenomenon of spreading of wave

when it passes or emerges from an opening or it bends
when it encounters an obstacle is called Diffraction.
These effects are more significant if the size of the
opening is comparable to the wave’s wavelength.
6)Polarization: A wave oscillating in one plane or
direction is called a Polarized wave. It can be circular
polarized or plane polarized. We can use the
polarization filter for this purpose.

7)Dispersion: The phenomenon of dispersion is also

followed by the wave. Dispersion is the breaking into the
component colors like when the white light passes
through the prism then it is dispersed into colors.

Wave Speed

The wave speed is the distance covered by the wave in

a given interval of time. It can be said that the speed of a
wave is also the wavelength/period.
Wave Speed=Distance covered/Time taken
The wave speed varies for different types of waves. The
Speed of light wave is 3 ×108 m/s. The wave speed is
the speed at which a particular Parts of a Wave say, a
crust moves through the medium.
Wave Energy

During energy transfer of the wave from one point to

another, the wave possesses the energy. This energy is
called wave energy.
Ocean wave energy, tidal wave energy, sound wave
energy, green wave energy are the examples.

Wavelength

Wavelength is the distance between identical points in

adjacent cycles of a waveform signal propagated in
space or along a wire. It measures the distance between
any two adjacent locations on the wave. This distance is
usually measured in one of three ways: crest to next
crest, trough to next trough, or from the start of a wave
cycle to the next starting point.
The size of a wave is measured as its wavelength,
which is the distance between any two corresponding
points on successive waves, usually peak-to-peak or
trough-to-trough.

Amplitude of a Wave
Amplitude is the maximum positive displacement from
the undisturbed position of the medium to the top of a
crest.

Amplitude of Wave is the distance from the center line to

the top of a crest or to the bottom of a trough. The
greater the amplitude of a wave then the more energy it
is carrying. The maximum positive displacement or
distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave
measured from its equilibrium position is the amplitude
of wave. The units of the amplitude depend on the type
of wave, but are always in the same units as the
oscillating variable.
When the amplitude of a wave steadily decreases
because its energy is being lost, it is said to be damped.
So, the greater the intensity of a sound, the greater will
be the amplitude.

The Period of a wave

The time taken by the wave to complete one vibrational

cycle or one oscillation is called period of the wave. It is
related to frequency by the formula,
Time period T = 1/f where, f is the frequency of the
wave.

A Wave Vector will helps us to describe a wave. Which

got both direction (direction of propagation of the wave)
and magnitude (wave number or angular wave
number).

Wave Frequency
The frequency of a wave refers to how often the
particles of the medium vibrate when a wave passes
through the medium. A part of a Wave refers to how
many waves are made per time interval. This is usually
described as how many cycles or oscillations made per
second. If twenty oscillations are made per second, then
the frequency is said to be twenty cycles per second,
written as 20 cps. The unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz)
where 1 Hz is equivalent to 1 cycle/second. A frequency
of 20 cps is represented as a frequency of 20 Hertz.
Different Types of Waves

Waves can be classified into three types:

1. Mechanical
2. Electromagnetic
3. Matter Waves

Mechanical Waves act as the propagation of a

disturbance through a material medium due to the
repeated periodic motion of the particles of the medium
about their mean positions, the disturbance being
handed over from one particle to the next.

Electromagnetic Waves are the disturbance, which

does not require any material medium for its propagation
and can travel even through vacuum. They are caused
due to varying electric and magnetic fields.

Matter Waves are the waves produced in electrons and

particles.
Mechanical Waves

The existence of medium is essential for propagation.

The Method of energy propagation in which disturbance
propagates with definite velocity without changing its
form. Energy and momentum propagates by motion of
particles of medium. But medium remains at previous
position. The mass transfer does not take possible here.
The Propagation is possible due to property of medium
like elasticity and inertia. Mechanical waves cannot
travel through vacuum. Examples: vibration of string,
vibration of string, the surface wave produced on the
surface of solid and liquid, sound waves, tsunami
waves, earthquake P-waves, ultra sounds, vibrations in
gas, and oscillations in spring, internal water waves, and
waves in slink etc.

Mechanical waves are of two types:

1. Transverse Wave
2. Longitudinal Wave.
Transverse Waves

The medium has particles that vibrate in a direction

perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of
wave. This Kind of wave produced is called Transverse
Wave.

Here the formation of crust and trough takes place. Here

the direction of propagation of energy is perpendicular to
the direction of oscillations. There are always two
directions that are independent of each other that can
be used as the direction of wave.

For example: vibration of string.

Longitudinal Waves

Consider a wave moving. if the vibration of the particles

of the medium are in the direction of wave propagation.
We call it as Longitudinal Waves.
A wave in which the particles of medium oscillate
parallel to the motion of the wave is called longitudinal
wave.

A Longitudinal wave proceeds in the form of

compression and rarefaction which is the stretched
rubber band. For a longitudinal wave at places of
compression the pressure and density tends to be
maximum, while at places where rarefaction takes place,
the pressure and density are minimum. Longitudinal
waves are known as Compression waves.

Examples of longitudinal waves: Sound waves,

tsunami waves, earthquake, P - waves, ultra sounds,
vibrations in gas, and oscillations in spring, internal
water waves, and waves in slink etc.

In gases only longitudinal waves propagate.

Electromagnetic Waves

The existence of medium is not essential for

propagation. The Periodic changes takes place in
electric and magnetic fields hence it is
called Electromagnetic Wave.
Properties:
1. In vacuum E.M waves travel with light velocity.
2. E.M waves can be polarized.
3. E.M waves are transverse in nature.
4. Medium is not required for propagating the E.M
waves.
5. E.M waves have momentum.
Example: Radio waves, light waves, thermal radiation,
X ray etc.

Matter Waves

These are also called De Broglie waves. They show or

depict the wave nature or wave like nature of all matter,
everything that makes up our body, the atoms etc.
Considering the quantum physics we have a proof that
the wavelength of matter waves is very small. There are
various equations called the De Broglie equations which
basically suggest the dual nature of matter. The
frequency of these waves is directly depends on their
kinetic energy,
Momentum is not directly proportional to the wavelength
of the particle and not inversely proportional.

Surface Waves

These waves can have mechanical nature. They can

have an electromagnetic nature. Example is a ground
wave propagating close to the earth’s surface. It can
propagate between two fluids with different
densities. For example a diving sea creature can create
a surface wave. They are also called Rayleigh waves.

Elastic Waves

The body which is elastic in nature produces this Elastic

wave.The elastic body is responsible for setting the
vibratory motion of particles. This vibratory motion
basically causes the Elastic wave. For an elastic wave
the particles always tend to come back to their original
positions when set in wave motion. This leads to the
formation of the wave.
Thus Elastic Wave is a type of mechanical wave.
Restoring force is provided causing the wave motion. It
also propagates in the visco-elastic medium. The study
of the elastic waves is called Elastodynamics.

Example :
 When gas which when compressed tend to come to
its original position.
 When sound is transmitted through the gas then it is
transmitted as an elastic wave.

Sound Waves

For sound waves the existence of material medium is

very necessary for the propagation of the waves. The
propagation of waves taking place in solid, liquid and
gases which makes us hear the sound is called Sound
wave.

Properties :
1. Sound waves are longitudinal in nature.
2. Material medium is necessary for the propagation of
the sound waves.
3. The Speed of sound in air at N.T. P is 332 m/s.
4. The Sound is audible only between 20 Hz to 20
KHz.
Standing Waves

When a wave remains in a constant position it is

called Standing wave. This is possible due to 2
reasons:
1. When the medium moves in a direction opposite to
the direction of propagation of wave it is possible.
2. When the phenomenon of interference takes place
between the two waves traveling in an opposite
direction then it is possible.
When two waves having equal frequency and amplitude
overlap each other then we get a standing wave. This is
possible due to the obstruction of the wave by some
boundary and hence the reflection of it back in the same
medium.

USES FOR EM WAVES

 They are used to transmit short or long or FM
wavelength radio waves.
 They are used to transmit TV or telephone or
wireless signals and energies.
 They are responsible for the transmission of energy
in the forms of microwaves, visible light, infrared
radiation, ultraviolet light, gamma rays and also X-
rays.
APPLICATIONS FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
 EM waves accomplish the transmission of energy
through a vacuum or using no medium.
 Since electromagnetic waves transmit energy, it
plays an important role in our daily lives including
the communication technology.
 Electromagnetic radiation is the foundation for
working of radar which in turn is used for guiding
and remote sensing the study of our planet Earth.
 Ultraviolet rays are germicidal in nature and destroy
bacteria, viruses and moulds from various surfaces,
air or water.
 UV rays are also used to detect the forged bank
notes. Real bank notes don’t turn fluorescent under
the UV light.
 UV rays have also sanitary and therapeutic
properties.
 X-rays detect the bone breaks by passing through
the flesh and capturing the image.
 Gamma rays can cause and also treat cancers.
High doses of gamma rays kill the normal cells
causing cancer while proper amount can kill
mutated cells.
 Infrared radiation is used for night vision and comes
handy for security cameras.
 Infrared radiation is visible at all times thus is used
by officials to capture enemy.