In This Lecture…

Waves & Oscillations • Mechanical Waves

• Transverse and longitudinal waves
• Wave equation
– (mathematical description of a wave)
• Superposition (and decomposition)
• Interference

Mechanical Waves Mechanical Waves

• A Mechanical Wave travels with a material • Examples a Mechanical Wave:
called a medium

• As wave travels through medium particles in

the medium undergo displacement

• The speed of travel depends upon the

mechanical properties of the medium

Types of Mechanical Waves Transverse Waves

• Displacement of medium is perpendicular
Mechanical Waves are either:
(transverse to the direction of motion)

Transverse
• Example: wave on a string
OR

Longitudinal

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 Transverse Waves Longitudinal Waves
• Displacement of medium is perpendicular • Displacement of medium is perpendicular
(transverse to the direction of motion) (transverse to the direction of motion

• Example: wave on a string • Example: Air wave in a pipe

c

Longitudinal Waves Mechanical Waves

• Displacement of medium is perpendicular Three thing in common:
(transverse to the direction of motion
1. Disturbance travels with a definite speed
through medium (propagation speed or
• Example: Air wave in a pipe wave speed)
c
2. Medium itself does not travel through
space
v
3. Wave motion transports energy
• Compression & Rarefaction

Periodic Waves Periodic Waves

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• Sinusoidal motion T = • Sinusoidal motion
c = fλ
• Amplitude, A
• Frequency, f f • Wavelength, λ
• Wave Velocity, v
1 Cycle or Period (T) 1 Cycle or Period (T)

c c c c
A

A
A

c c c

Wavelength (λ)

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 Wave Equation Wave Equation ω = 2π f
• Mathematical Description of a wave • The displacement at x = 0 (where motion
• A function that describes the amplitude of originates) is given by:
a wave at any given point or time

y = f (x ,t ) y (x ,t ) = A sin(ωt ) = A sin(2πf t )
y
y
(x,t)
(x,t)

X=0

Wave Equation Wave Equation

• Disturbance travels from x = 0 to x • Motion of point x at time t is the same as the

motion of point x=0 at the earlier time (t - x/c)
x/c)
• Time taken = distance/velocity = x/c • Displacement at any point at time t can be
found by replacing t with (t
(t-x/c)
x/c)

⎛ x ⎞ ⎞ A sin⎛ 2πf x ⎞⎞
y (x ,t ) = A sin⎜ ω ⎛⎜t − ⎟⎟ = ⎜
⎛
⎜t − ⎟ ⎟
⎝ ⎝ v ⎠⎠ ⎝ ⎝ v ⎠⎠
y y

(x,t) (x,t)

X X

1 v 2π
Wave Equation T = λ= Wave Equation k =
f f λ
• Rewrite in terms of period (T) and wavelength (λ
(λ) • Another convenient form if we use
wave number k
ω =ck
⎛ t x ⎞
y (x ,t ) = A sin⎜ 2π ⎛⎜ − ⎞⎟ ⎟
⎝ ⎝T λ ⎠⎠ y (x ,t ) = A sin(ωt − kx )
y y

(x,t) (x,t)

X X

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 Speed of Transverse Wave Speed of Longitudinal Waves
Wave Speed on a String Speed of longitudinal wave

F in a fluid filed pipe

B
c= c=
• Mechanical properties of
string: •Mechanical properties of gas
• Tension
– Acts as resorting force
μ •Compressibility
– Acts as resorting force
ρ
• Mass per unit length F = Tension in string •Density B= Bulk Modulus
– Introduces inertia μ = Mass per unit length – Introduces inertia ρ = Density
μ
F F

Speed of Longitudinal Waves Interference

Speed of longitudinal wave
in a solid rod
Y
•Mechanical properties of rod c=
•Compressibility
– Acts as resorting force
ρ =
•Density Y= Young’
Young’s Modulus
– Introduces inertia μ = Density Destructive Interference

Interference Superposition

= =

Complex Waveform
Constructive Interference

Any waveform can be generated by

varying amplitude, frequency &
phase

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Summary Practice Questions

• Mechanical Waves PAM2011: Lecture 10 Problem Sheet Solutions

1. What is the wavelength of 1Mhz sound waves in air? (assume that the speed of sound

• Transverse and longitudinal waves in air is 344ms-1)

• Wave equation 2. The linear mass density of a string is 0.25kgm-1. How much tension must be applied to
produce a transverse wave with velocity of 10ms-1?

– (mathematical description of a wave) 3. The speed of sound in water at 20oc is 344 ms-1. Calculate the bulk module of water at

• Superposition (and decomposition)

this temperature. (Hint 1 litre of water weighs 1 Kg)

• Interference
4. If wave is described by the following wave equation: y=sin(8πt –πx). Calculate it’s
velocity

5. Explain why the speed of sound in water is greater than that in air.