CHAPTER 3

TRAVELLING WAVE

3.1 Introduction

This chapter is provided to discuss the wave propagation characteristics,

especially in elastic media. The Emphasis is mainly directed to the wave nature of
harmonic wave. Transmission of energy and momentum in wave motion are reviewed
in depth. This chapter also introduces reflection and transmission properties of waves at
the boundary of two mediums.

3.1 Travelling Harmonic Wave and Phase Velocity

The simplest solution of wave equation is harmonic wave, with a profile of

ψ(x,t) as a function of cosines or sinus;

ψ(x, t) ψ 0 cos kx ωt, (3.1)

ω
where ω and k satisfy the relation of k , and v as phase velocity. ψ(x,t) function
v

involving spatial and temporal terms, as discussed in chapter 2. In figure (3.1) we have

harmonic wave travelling to x direction. Local disturbance at x = 0, wave period T and

wavelength λ.

Phase velocity of a wave is an important quantity. Phase function φ(x,t) of a

wave travelling to +x direction is an argument of cos (ωt – kx),

φ (x.t) = ωt – kx. (3.2)

The relation between x and t in a point having constant phase can be obtained from 2

different ways as follows:

39
 
d  dt  dx
t  X

= ω dt kdx

dφ = 0 because of constant phase, so that

dx 
v
 ,. (3.3)
dt k

Which is a phase velocity.

3.3 Energy and Momentum Transmission

Figure (3.2) Force move to the left end

Figure (3.1) Travelling harmonic wave of the string
at period of T

3.3.1 Energy Current

Wave movement can be considered as a process of energy propagation which

produce local disturbance. In order to comprehend this, let us take a harmonic wave

travelling to +x direction on string at time t. The left end of the string receives vertical

force (Figure 3.2) given by,

F T sin
40
 (T cos ) tan

T0 tan 

T0  (3.4)
x

Instantaneous power received by the string is given by

P F , (3.5)
t

By using equation (3.4), equation (3.5) become

P T0  , (3.6)
 x t

Wave x vt which receives power from the left side will transmit it to the
right and satisfy

 1
, (3.7)
x v t

So that the magnitude of energy current is given by,

2
0
T
P  T0  , (3.8)
v t  x

Indeed, equation (3.8) also apply for wave ψ(x + vt) in the opposite direction. In order

to satisfy P parameter, let us consider a special case of sinusoidal wave,

x,t 0 coskx t,
and

 0 sinkx t,
t

k sinkx t,
0
x

hence

41
 2 2
P = T0 v k2 ψ0 sin (kx – ωt) = P (x – vt). (3.9)

Equation (3.9) described energy transmission to the right with a velocity of v,

and its value at certain point oscillate with time (Figure 3.3). In the figure we can see

that the function of cos kx is multiplied twice to becomen energy density, and all

function below –x are folded upward.

Figure 3.3 Energy propagation to +x direction.

The average of P as shown by dash lines is given by,

P T0 v 
x
2
T vk 2 0 2 sin kx t 
0 (3.10)

T
1 1
The average of sin 2 kx t sin 2 kx t dt . So that we have
T 0 2

1 2
P T vk 2 (3.11)
2 0
0

42
 2
T0
Remembering that v 2 , or T v2 , we get
0 
k2 
1 2 2 
P  v 0 
2

1 2

v U max
, (3.12)
2

where

Umax = ωψ0 = Maximum oscillation velocity of the disturbance. (3.13)

For harmonic oscillator, total energy over length unit is equal to the sum of

potential and kinetics energy density or one of its maximum,

E = Ek + Ep

1 2 2
0
, (3.14)
2

This is the density of kinetic energy and it is constant.

3.3.2 WAVE IMPEDANCE

As a response to external force F, a medium will gain velocity fo local

oscillation. For resistive media, the response is almost linear and its value on F depends

on resistive constant Z according to

1
F (3.15)
t Z

Where Z is wave impedance.

For a wave travelling to the right hand side,

1  
T0 
t Z x

or

43
 
T0
Z x (3.16)

t

Equation (3.16) shows that the greater impedance Z, the slower wave velocity.

For a wave on a string in particular ψ(x - vt), equation (3.16) can be written
T0
Z (3.17)
v

In its relation with energy current, one can write

2

P Z  (3.18)
t

Impedance Z is expressed in joule/(m/s).

3.3.3 Momentum Transmission

In order to drive the equation for momentum transmission, we will consider a wave

on a spring having a constant k and linear mass ρ (Figure 3.4). When we strech the

spring, its linear density decrease (total mass m remains constant). If the spring is

compressed, its linear density increases. The presence of wave will cause stretched and

compressed sites in every points of the spring, so that the linear mass will vary.

Figure (3.4) disturbance on a spring to the right direction

44
Momentum density (momentum over the length unit) is given by
M v

dx
dt (3.19)

The change of mass density Δρ can be obtained as follows. Consider a length of Δx in a

equilibrium spring (figure 3.4(a)). The total mass on the segment Δx is

m = ρ Δx
Stretched and compressed will cause Δx to change according to

x ' x X x (x) (3.20)

Using Taylor series for x x we have;

x x x x
X

It can be seen that x ρ distributed along x’ according to

x' x x
x

Since the total mass does not change, we gain


m x  x x (3.21)
 x

or

1
x
If the deformation of <<1, one can write
x

]  (3.22)
x

Equation (3.22) is known as wave density.

45
 Substitute equation (3.22) into (3.19), momentum density can be expressed as


M
 x t


(3.23)
1
t x

In the case of harmonic wave (x,t) = o sin [kx – ω t), we will have

M 0 cos kx t1 k0 cos kx t 
2
0 cos kx t k0 cos 2 kx t

It can be shown that the average of momentum density M , is given by,

1 2 1k 2 2
M k 0 0
2 2

2 2
10 k 1
, (3.25)

2 v v

By comparing with equation (3.12) it can be inferred that

P
M , (3.26)
v2

where

P = the average of current density

v = the phase velocity

3.2 Reflection and Transmission of Wave

3.4.1 Boundary Problems

We will examine what happen when a traveling wave approaching a boundary

between two different media. By using the sinusoidal wave description on a string

shown in figure (3.5), we will have,

46
 Figure (3.5) Situation at the boundary of two media

Symbols ψm , ψr , and ψt represent incoming wave, reflected, and transmitted wave,

respectively. First medium string I starts from x = - ∞, and connected to string II at x =

0, continue to the right hand side up to x = + ∞. Based on the general equation of wave,

it can be formed a set of equations as follows;

2 2
I 1 I
0, x 0, (3.27)
2
x v2 t 2

2 2
II 1 II
0, x 0, (3.28)
2
x v2 t 2

We are going to apply boundary requirements known as continuity condition on

the above equations. These boundary requirements are;

(i) I x 0,t II x 0,t,

I II
(ii) x 0,t x 0,t,

t t
I II
(iii) x 0,t x 0,t, (3.29)

x x

47
Requirement (ii) represents movement synchronization at the meeting point of the two

media, whilst requirement (iii) represents slope continuity of instantaneous wave.

Let us find out for harmonic waves,

I m r

cosk x t  cos k ' x 't, (3.30)

m0 1 r0 1 1

Where,
k  ' 1 '
1 1 , dan k1 .
v v1

II t

 t0 cosk 2 x 2 t  (3.31)

And
2
k 2 v
2

By applying the set of boundary requirements (3.29) for each t, we directly find
’
that ω1 = ω1 = ω2 = ω, and k1’ = k1. The use of boundary requirement (i) gives

m0 r0 , t0 (3.32)

or

1+r=t, (3.33)

We are now defining

r0
r = reflected coefficient
 m0

t 0
and t = transmission coefficient
 m0

48
 The use of requirement (ii) will give similar result. Furthermore, the use of

requirement (iii) will result in,

 m 0 r0 k1 t0 k2 , (3.34)

2 k 
1r t , (3.35)
k1 

From equation (3.33) and (3.35) we found

2k1
t , (3.36)
k1 k 2
and

k1 k 2
r (3.37)
k1 k 2

At equations (3.36) and (3.37) we will have an approximation value of -1 r +1, and

0 t 2.

For string which fulfil equation

ki  Zi , i = 1, 2,
vi T0 

Equations (3.36) and (3.37) can be written as

2Z 1 Z Z
t , r 1 2, (3.38)
Z1 Z 2 Z1 Z 2

3.4.2 ENERGY AND IMPEDANCE PROPAGATION

Based on the equation of instantenous energy density in each medium, we will

have
Pm  Pr 
m 2 r
Z Z 2 (3.39)
A ; 1
t
1
 t A 

and

49
 2
Pt m 
Z (3.40)
A 2
 t 

In relation to the ratio of energy current we will introduce new parameters

known as reflectance and transmittance, written as,

2
Pr  r0 2
R 2 r , (3.41)
Pm m0

and

2
Pt k2 t0 k2 Z2
T t2 t2 (3.42)
2
Pm k1  m0 k1  Z1

Based on the principal of energy conservation we have,

R+T=1 (3.43)

We will now consider the relationship between impedance and the effective of

transmission in some cases.

(a) Perfect match impedance

If Z1 = Z2, there will be no reflected wave. Hence,

R=0; R=0

and

t = 1 ; T = 1.
In this case,

I cos k1 x t II (3.44)
m0

This case describes a total transmission. Z1 = Z2 condition does not necessarily

the two media identical. If the mass of the string and its stress both change accordingly
so that its multiplication remains constant, impedance Z1  T1 1 , and Z 2  T2 2 ,

50
 T1 T2
will be equal. However, phase velocity v  , and v  is not the same in
1 2
1  2

both media.

(b) Infinite Drag

If Z1/Z2 = 0, it is clear that

r = -1 = eiπ, (phase reversal); R = 1

and t = 0, T = 0

This condition indicates that the end of the string is tight. Any wave arrives in

that end will be reflected with negative amplitude but its magnitude is equal to that of

incoming wave (figure 3. 6).

x0 x0
v
v
ψ ψ

Gambar (3.6) Pantulan pulsa gelombang pada ujung tetap (infinite drag)

If this condition is applied to harmonic wave we will stationary wave as follows.

 cosk1 x t m cosk1 x t
I m0

 cost cosk x sin sink x

m0 1 t 1

m sin0 t sink1 x cos t cosk1 x 

2m0 sin (k1 X )sin (t)

1 0 (X )sin (t) (45)

expression (45) describe stationary wave, with amplitude distribution,

51