Chapter 1

Wave Motion
 Wave
• Wave is a continuous transfer of disturbance from one
place to another through the vibration of the particles
of the medium about their mean position.
• A wave carries energy and momentum without
transfer of the matter. If there is no transfer of energy,
it is not a wave but an oscillation.
Waves can be classified into two types on the basis of
transfer of energy.
(i) Mechanical waves : Those waves which require
material medium for their propagation/transmission
are called mechanical waves. For example: Sound
waves, Waves on the pond of water(ripples), Waves
in an stretched string etc.
(ii) Non-mechanical waves: Those waves which do not
require material medium for their transmission are
called non- mechanical waves. For example, Light
waves, electromagnetic waves etc.
Some important terms related to wave motion:
(i) Crest: The point of maximum displacement of the particles
above the mean position is called crest.
(ii) Trough: The point of maximum displacement of the
particles below its mean position is called trough.
(iii)Amplitude: The maximum displacement of the vibrating
particles on either side(below or above) of the mean
position is called amplitude. It is denoted by ‘a’ in figure.
Its SI unit is meter.
(iv) Wavelength: The distance between any two crests or
troughs is called wavelength. OR Distance travelled in one
complete vibration.
It is denoted by 𝜆. Its SI unit is meter.
(v) Frequency (f) : The number of oscillations completed by a
particle in one second is called the frequency. It is denoted by
f. Its SI unit is Hertz.
(vi) Time Period (T): The time taken by a particle to complete
one oscillation is called time period. Or, The reciprocal of the
frequency is called time period.
1
i.e. f =
𝑇
(vii) Wave velocity: The distance travelled by a wave in
one second is called wave velocity. It is denoted by v.
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒
i.e. wave velocity, v =
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
𝜆
Or, wave velocity, v =
𝑇
= 𝜆.f
Hence, v = 𝜆.f
 Types of Waves
In terms of mode of transmission, there are two types
of waves.

(i) Longitudinal Waves:

• The wave in which the particles of the medium
vibrate along the direction of the propagation of the
wave is called the longitudinal wave.
• For eg. Sound waves

• They can travel in all media like solids, liquids and

gases.
• In longitudinal waves, the disturbance travels in the
form of compressions and rarefactions.
• Compression is the region where the particles are the
closer and hence density is greater due to increase in
pressure.

• Rarefaction is the region where the particles of the

medium are farther and hence the density is lesser
due to decrease in pressure.
(ii) Transverse Wave:
The wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate
along the perpendicular to the propagation of the wave
is called a transverse wave.

• They can travel mainly in solids and sometimes in the

surface of liquids.

• For example, Electromagnetic waves, waves on the

surface of water etc.
• In transverse waves, the disturbance travels in the
form of crests and troughs.

• Crest is the peak region and trough is the valley region

of the wave.
Longitudinal Waves Transverse Waves
• The particles of the • The particles of the
medium vibrate along the medium vibrate
propagation of the waves. perpendicular to the
• It travels producing a series propagation of waves.
of compressions and • It travels producing crests
rarefactions in the medium. and troughs in the medium.
• It can propagate in all types • It can propagate only in
of media: solid, liquid and solids and at the surface of
gas. liquids.
Longitudinal Waves
• The pressure and density
are the maximum at
compressions and
minimum at rarefactions.
• Particle displacement is
parallel to the direction of
propagation of wave.
Transverse Waves
• The pressure and density
remain same throughout
the region( no pressure
variation)
• Particle displacement is
perpendicular to the
direction of propagation of
wave.
 Progressive Wave
A wave that can propagate from one region of
medium to another region is called progressive
wave. In such waves, the disturbance travels
forward and is handed to next particle after
certain time with same amplitude and frequency
but with different phase. A progressive wave may
be transverse or longitudinal.
Equation of Progressive Wave
Suppose a wave is travelling from left to the right along
X- axis as shown in figure. Consider a particle at origin
O is vibrating simple harmonically . The displacement of
the particle at any instant ‘t’ is given by
y = a sin 𝜔𝑡 …………….(i)
Where a is amplitude of the particle, 𝜔 is its angular
velocity.
Let, P be the position of the another particle at
distance x from the origin O. Here, the disturbance will
reach later to the particles right of O. So, the phase of
the particle at P lags to that of O and goes on
increasing.
Let ∅ be the phase difference of the particle at P, then its
displacement can be written as
y = a sin(𝜔𝑡 − ∅) ……………..(ii)
Since, for the distance of λ, phase difference is 2𝜋. So, the phase
2𝜋𝑥
difference ∅ at point P at a distance x from O is .
λ
2𝜋𝑥
So, equation (ii) can be written as y = a sin(𝜔𝑡 − )
λ
2𝜋
Here, = k is called the propagation constant or wave number.
λ
Then, y = a sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥) ……………………(iii)
2𝜋
Since, 𝜔 = .
T
Equation (iii) can be written as
 2𝜋 2𝜋𝑥
y = a sin( 𝑡 − )
T λ
𝑡 𝑥
Or, y = a sin 2𝜋( − ) ………….(iv)
T λ
2𝜋
Again, we know that, 𝜔 = = 2𝜋f
T
So, equation (iii) can be written as
2𝜋𝑥
y = a sin(𝜔𝑡 − )
λ
2𝜋𝑣
(∵ 𝜔 = 2𝜋f = )
λ
2𝜋𝑣 2𝜋𝑥
Or, y = a sin( 𝑡− )
λ λ
2𝜋
Or, y = a sin (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥) …………..(v)
λ
Equations (iii), (iv) and (v) are the equations of a plane progressive
wave. If the wave travels from right to left i.e. towards negative x- axis
then it reaches to P before O. So, the vibration at P leads that at O. So,
the equation becomes
y = a sin(𝜔𝑡 + ∅)
or, y = a sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝑘𝑥)
OR
2𝜋
y = a sin (𝑣𝑡 + 𝑥)
λ
 Differential Equation of a Wave
2𝜋
The equation of wave is y = a sin (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥) …………(i)
λ
Differentiating equation (i) with respect to time t, we get,
𝑑𝑦 2𝜋𝑣 2𝜋
= a cos (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥)
𝑑𝑡 λ λ
𝑑2𝑦 2𝜋𝑣 2𝜋𝑣 2𝜋
Again , Differentiating, 2 = - ( ).( ).a sin (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥)
𝑑𝑡 λ λ λ
4𝜋 2 2 2𝜋
= -( 2 𝑣 ).a sin (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥) ……..(ii)
λ λ
Also, differentiating eq. (i) w.r.t. x , we get
𝑑𝑦 2𝜋 2𝜋
=- a cos (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 λ λ
𝑑2𝑦 2𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋
Or, 2 = - ( ).( ).a sin (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 λ λ λ
4𝜋 2 2𝜋
= - ( 2 ).a sin (𝑣𝑡 − 𝑥) ………..(iii)
λ λ

Dividing equations (iii) by (iv), we have,

𝑑2𝑦 2 𝑑 2
𝑦
= v 2 ……………..(iv)
𝑑𝑡2 𝑑𝑥
This is the general differential equation that governs the wave
propagation of all type of waves.
 Principle of Superposition
Principle of superposition states that “when two or
more than two waves passing through a medium
combine (superimpose) with each other at a point then
the resultant displacement at any point is equal to the
vector sum of their individual displacements at that
point.”
i.e. if y1, y2, y3, ………yn be the displacement of n waves
then the resultant displacement y at any point is
y = y1 + y2 + y3 +………+yn
 Stationary or Standing Waves
When two progressive waves of same amplitude, frequency and
same speed but travelling in opposite direction superpose with
each other, a new wave is formed. Such type of wave is known as
a stationary wave.
For example, stationary waves formed in vibrating guitar, piano,
air column of resonance tube apparatus etc.
The points in the stationary wave at which the particles are
permanently at rest (displacement is zero) are called nodes(N).
The points in the stationary wave at which the particles are not at
rest( displacement is maximum) are called antinodes(A).
 Derivation of Stationary Wave
Consider a progressive wave travelling towards right having
amplitude a, frequency f and wavelength λ. The displacement of the
wave at a distance x from the origin is given by
y1 = a sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥) ………….(i)
Let another wave of the same amplitude and frequency travelling in
opposite direction . The displacement y2 of this wave is given by
y2 = a sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝑘𝑥) ……………(ii)
When two waves superpose, a stationary wave is produced and the
resultant displacement is given as
y = y1 + y 2
 or, y = a sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥) + a sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝑘𝑥)
= a [sin(𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥) + sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝑘𝑥)]
𝜔𝑡−𝑘𝑥+𝜔𝑡+𝑘𝑥 𝜔𝑡−𝑘𝑥−𝜔𝑡−𝑘𝑥
= a. 2 sin( ) cos( )
2 2
= 2a . sin 𝜔𝑡 cos(−𝑘𝑥)
= 2a . cos 𝑘𝑥 . sin 𝜔𝑡
∴ y = (2a .cos 𝑘𝑥 )sin 𝜔𝑡 ………..(iii)
We see that, the initial waves are sinusoidal waves, their resultant is
also sinusoidal wave.
This is the equation of stationary wave. Equation (iii) can also be
written as y = Asin 𝜔𝑡, where A = 2a .cos 𝑘𝑥 gives the amplitude of the
stationary wave.
Here, A = 2a .cos 𝑘𝑥
(i) Position of Nodes:
If 2a .cos 𝑘𝑥 = 0 (minimum)
Or, cos 𝑘𝑥 = 0
𝜋
Or, cos 𝑘𝑥 = cos 90= cos(2𝑛 + 1)
2
𝜋
Or, k.x =(2n+1)
2
2𝜋 𝜋
Or, .x =(2n+1)
𝜆 2
𝜆
Or, x =(2n+1) ………….(iv),
4
where n is an integer, n = 0, 1,2,3,……………
These points are permanently at rest are called nodes.
𝜆 3𝜆 5𝜆 7𝜆
Hence, at distances x = , , , ,…………nodes are formed.
4 4 4 4
3𝜆 𝜆 𝜆
Also, the distance between any two consecutive nodes = − =
4 4 2
 (ii) Position of Antinodes:
For cos 𝑘𝑥 = ± 1 = maximum=cos n𝜋
Or, kx = ± 1 = n𝜋
2𝜋
Or, .x = n𝜋
𝜆
𝑛𝜆
Or, x= …………………. (v)
2
Where n= 0, 1, 2, …………..
𝜆 3𝜆
Hence, x = 0, , 𝜆, , 2𝜆, ………..
2 2
These are the points at which the displacement is maximum called the
antinodes.
𝜆 𝜆
Also, the distance between any two consecutive antinodes is = - 0 =
2 2
 Properties of Stationary Wave
1. When two progressive waves of same amplitude, frequency and
wavelength but travelling in opposite direction in a medium
superimpose with each other, stationary wave is formed.
2. Node is a position of zero displacement and maximum strain
whereas an antinode is the position of maximum displacement and
zero strain.
3. All the particles except at the nodes vibrate simple harmonically.
4. The amplitude of vibration gradually increases from zero at node to
the maximum at antinode.
5. The disturbance does not travel forward as in the progressive
wave.
6. There is no transfer of energy since the disturbance does not travel
forward.
 𝜆
• The distance between two adjacent nodes is and that
2
𝜆
between two adjacent antinodes is also . But, the distance
2
𝜆
between a node and a antinode is .
4
Progressive Wave Stationary Wave
•• It
Itcarries
carriesenergy in the forward
energy in the • •ItItdoes
doesnotnotcarrycarry
any energy
any i.e. the
direction i.e. the disturbance travels disturbance remains at rest.
forward
forward. direction i.e. the energy i.e. the disturbance
• The amplitude of oscillation varies
disturbance
• The travelsis same at
amplitude of oscillation remains
from zero atattherest.
node to the
maximum at the antinode.
all positions in the medium.
forward. • The amplitude of
• No particle is permanently at rest. • The particles at nodes are
oscillationatvaries
rest. from zero
•• The
Energyamplitude
is transmitted fromof particle to permanently
at theis node to the from
particle across every section of the • Energy not transmitted
oscillation
medium.
is same at all particle
maximum to particle . antinode.
at the
• positions in the
As the disturbance moves,medium.
every part • At antinodes, there is no change in
•density
The particles at there
nodes
but at nodes is are
• of
No the medium suffers a change in
particle
density.
is permanently
maximum . at rest.
• Pressure variation is maximum at
• permanently
At every point, thereat rest.
is pressure nodes and zero at antinodes.
variation.
Progressive Wave Stationary Wave
••ItEnergy
carries energy
is in the forward
transmitted ••ItEnergy
does not is not
carry any energy i.e. the
direction i.e. the disturbance travels disturbance remains at rest.
from particle to particle
forward. transmitted from
• The amplitude of oscillation varies
across
• The amplitudeevery section
of oscillation of at
is same particle
from zero attotheparticle
node to the.
maximum at the antinode.
all positions in the medium.
the medium. • At antinodes, there is no
• No particle is permanently at rest. • The particles at nodes are
change inatdensity but at
••Energy
As the disturbance permanently rest.
is transmitted from particle to nodes there is from
particle across every section of the • Energy is not transmitted
moves,
medium.
every part of the maximum.
particle to particle .
medium suffers
moves,aevery
change • At antinodes, there is no change in
•density
Pressurebut atvariation is
• As the disturbance part
nodes there is
inthedensity.
of medium suffers a change in
maximum
maximum . at nodes and
density.
••At
Atevery
everypoint,point, there is
there is pressure
zero atvariation
• Pressure antinodes.
is maximum at
nodes and zero at antinodes.
pressure variation.
variation.
 Undamped and Damped Oscillation
Those types of oscillations in which the amplitude of the
vibration(Energy) remains constant with time are called
undamped oscillations.
For ex. Motion of the pendulum bob in vacuum.
Those types of oscillations in which the amplitude of the
vibration(Energy) goes on decreasing with time and finally
becomes zero due to the presence of resistive forces such as
air resistance, damping force etc. are called damped
oscillations.
For ex. Sound produced by a bell.
Motion of simple pendulum on earth
Q. Why are bells made up of metal but not of wood?
Hint: Metals have low damping so the sound remains for
long time. Woods have high damping so that it rapidly
dampens to zero.
 Free , Forced and Resonant Vibrations
• When a body is displaced from its equilibrium position
and is left free, then it starts to oscillates with definite
amplitude and frequency. If the body is not acted by
external force like friction etc. then it continues its
motion. Such type of oscillation is called the free
oscillation and the corresponding frequency of the body is
called the natural frequency.
For example, the natural frequency of the simple
1 𝑔
pendulum is f = .
2𝜋 𝑙
• When a body is under the state of oscillation by an
external periodic force of frequency other than the
natural frequency (depends upon shape , size etc.) of
the body then such type of oscillation is called forced
oscillation.
• When a body is maintained in the state of oscillation
by a periodic force of frequency equal to the natural
frequency of the body then such type of oscillation is
called resonant oscillation.
Q. Write five examples of resonance.
 Wave Properties
(i) Reflection
When the sound waves are incident on a boundary between
two media, a part of the incident wave returns back in the
same medium. This phenomenon is called reflection of the
waves. Echo, reverberation etc. are the examples of
reflection of sound waves.
(ii) Refraction
The bending of sound waves due to the change in
speed of the sound when it travels from one medium
to the another medium is called refraction of sound.
For example, It is easy to hear the sound at night than
at day time.
This is due to refraction. In the day time, the
upper layer of air is cooler than that of the lower
layer and hence the upper layer of the air
becomes denser. Thus, at higher temperature,
sound travels faster and is refracted away from
the earth. But, at night, the lower layer of the air
is cooler (i.e. denser) than that of the upper layer
and hence the sound waves are refracted towards
the earth. Therefore, sound is heard better at
night than at day.
(iii) Diffraction
The phenomenon of spreading of waves when they
pass through an aperture or corners of an obstacle is
known as diffraction. Diffraction occurs with all the
waves like X-rays, light waves, sound waves etc.
Diffraction occurs only if the wavelength of the wave is
of the same order as that of the dimension (size) of the
diffracting obstacle.
Due to diffraction of sound waves through the doors,
windows and walls, sound is heard inside a room from
an outside source.
(iv) Interference
When two or more waves of same frequency and
amplitude and are in same phase travel in same
direction along the straight line simultaneously they
superimpose in such a way that the intensity of the
resultant wave is maximum at certain points and
minimum at certain other points.
This phenomenon of redistribution of energy due to
the mixing of two or more than two waves is called
interference.
• The points where the
intensity of the
resultant wave is
maximum are called as
maxima and the
interference is called
constructive
interference.
Crest falls into crest and
trough falls into trough
• The points where the
intensity of the resultant

Resultant
wave is minimum are

wave
known as minima and the
interference is known as
destructive interference.

Interfering
Crest falls into trough and

waves
trough falls into crest
 Short Questions
1. Write the difference between light waves and
sound waves.
Solution: The main difference between the light waves
and sound waves is shown in following table.
Light Waves
• Light waves are non
mechanical waves. i.e. they
does not require any
material medium to
propagate.
• They are transverse waves.
• They can be polarized.
• Their velocity is 3 x 10 8 m/s
in air or vacuum.
• Diffraction phenomenon can
not be achieved easily due
to smaller wavelength.
Sound Waves
• Sound waves are mechanical
waves . i.e. they require
material medium ( solid,
liquid or gas) to propagate.
• They are longitudinal waves.
• They can not be polarized.
• Their velocity is about
332m/s in air.
• Diffraction can be achieved
easily than the light waves
due to higher wavelength.
2. Do sound waves undergo reflection, refraction and
polarization phenomena?
Solution: Yes, sound waves undergo reflection and refraction
phenomena. But, they does not obey polarization
phenomena. We know that, sound waves are longitudinal
waves. So, the vibration of the particles of the medium is to
and fro along the direction of the propagation of the waves.
Thus, the longitudinal wave is already polarized in the
direction of motion of the wave.
Note: The phenomenon in which the vibrations of ordinary
light waves are confined in a single plane is called polarization
of light. Only transverse waves can be polarized.
3. Write the difference between the transverse waves and
longitudinal waves.
4. Write the difference between the progressive and stationary
waves.
5.When sound travels from air to water, does the frequency of
the wave change? The wavelength? The velocity?
Solution: We know that, v = 𝜆.f , where, v = velocity of the wave,
𝜆 = wavelength of the wave and f = frequency of the wave.
Since, the frequency of the wave depends upon the
characteristics of the source and it is independent of the medium
through which it travels. Hence, the frequency of the wave always
remains constant but the wavelength and the velocity of the wave
change while sound travels from one medium to the another
medium.
6. How are stationary waves formed?
7. If you are walking the moon surface, can you hear the
cracking sound behind you? Explain.
Solution: We know that, the sound wave is a
mechanical wave i.e. it requires material medium to
propagate from one place to another. Since, there is no
atmosphere ( due to weak gravity), on the surface of
moon. So, sound energy can not travel on the surface
of moon. Therefore, we can not hear cracking sound on
the surface of moon.
8. Which types of waves propagate in liquid?
Solution: We know that, the longitudinal waves can
travel in all types of media and transverse waves can
travel mainly in solids and sometimes on the surface of
liquids.
So, longitudinal waves can travel inside the liquid.
Transverse can not travel inside the liquid because
liquid possess volume elasticity and the modulus of
rigidity is practically zero for liquids.
9. Why echo can not be heard in a small room?
Solution: The repetition of sound due to its reflection from a
distant object like hills, buildings etc. in called an echo.
If the distance between the source of sound is ‘d’ and
‘v’ be the velocity of sound then the time interval
between the original sound and its echo is
𝑑 𝑑 2𝑑 𝑑
t= + = (∵ v = )
𝑣 𝑣 𝑣 𝑡
Note: Persistence of hearing : Human brain can not
distinguish two sound which are repeated in time less
than 0.1 sec. The sensation of hearing of any sound
persists in our brain for 0.1 sec. This is called
persistence of hearing.
 2𝑑 1
Since, persistence of hearing is 0.1sec, ≥
𝑣 10
𝑣
or, d ≥
10 ×2
∴ d ≥ 17.5 m
Hence, to hear an echo, the distance between speaker and
reflecting surface must be greater than 17m.
Applications of Echo:
• Distance of distant object , depth of lake, oceans etc. can
be determined.
• Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging) is based upon the
principle of echo. It is used to locate rocks, icebergs,
whales etc. under the surface of water.
• RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is used for
navigation purposes in aircrafts.
Reverberation:
If the distance between the source of sound and the
reflecting surface is less than 17.5m, the reflected ray
reaches to the speaker within 0.1 sec after reflection.
So, the original sound is prolonged , which is known as
reverberation.
1) A wave has speed 240m/s and wavelength 3.2m. What are the frequency and
the time period of the wave?
2) A wave is represented as y = 0.25 sin(500𝑡 − 0.025𝑥)
Where, y, t and x are in cm, second and meter respectively. Calculate (i)
wavelength (ii) frequency and (iii) speed of the wave.
3) Write the equation of a progressive wave propagating along the positive x-
direction whose amplitude is 5 cm, frequency 250 Hz and velocity 500 m/s.
4) Calculate the frequency of source if the average distance between successive
minima is 1.5 cm and the speed of electromagnetic wave in air is 3 x 108 m/s.
5) Ultrasound is the name given to frequencies above the human range of
hearing, which is about 20,000Hz. Waves above this frequency can be used to
penetrate the body and to produce images by reflecting from surfaces. In a
typical ultrasound scan, the waves travel with a speed of 1500 m/s. For a good
detailed image, the wavelength should be no more than 1.0mm. What frequency
is required?
6) The speed of sound in air at 200 C is 344m/s. (a) What is the
wavelength of a sound wave with a frequency of 748 Hz, corresponding
to the note G5 on a piano? (b) What is the frequency of sound wave
with a wavelength of 0.0655 mm? ( This frequency is too high for you
to hear).

1) 75Hz and 1/75 sec.

2) Solve
3) y = 0.05 sin π ( 500t-x)
4) f = 2x1010 Hz
5) 1.5 x 106 Hz
6) (a) 0.439m (b) 5.25 x 106 Hz
N1. The FM station of Radio Nepal broadcasts at 100MHz.
What will be the wavelength of the wave?

Solution: Given, Frequency of the wave f = 100 Mhz= 100 x

106 Hz.
Velocity of radio waves v = 3 x 108 m/s
Wavelength 𝜆 = ?
Since, Wave Velocity = Frequency x Wavelength
Or, v = f x 𝜆
𝑣 3 x 108
Or, 𝜆 = = =3m
𝑓 100 x 106
Hence, the wavelength of the radio waves is 3m.
N2. A radio station broadcasts at 800 KHz. What will
be the wavelength of the wave?
N3. A wave has the equation ( x in meters and t in
seconds) given as
y = 0.02 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝟑𝟎𝒕 − 𝟒𝒙)
Find, (i) its frequency, speed and wavelength.
(ii) The equation of the wave with double the
amplitude but travelling in the opposite direction.
Solution: Given equation is
y = 0.02 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝟑𝟎𝒕 − 𝟒𝒙) ……….(i)
Comparing equation (i) with the equation of
progressive wave,
y = a 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙) ,
We get, a = 0.02m.
Hence, amplitude a = 0.02m
 = 30
Or, 2𝜋𝑓 = 30
 30 30
Or, f = = = 4.78 Hz.
2𝜋 2 ×3.14
Hence, frequency of the wave is 4.78 Hz.
Also, k = 4
2𝜋
Or, = 4
λ
2𝜋 2×3.14
Or, λ = = = 1.57m
4 4
Hence, the wavelength of the wave 1.57m.
Also, velocity = frequency x wavelength
Or v = f x λ
Or, v = 4.78 x 1.57 = 7.50m/s
Hence, the velocity of the wave is 7.50m/s.
ii) The equation of the wave with double the amplitude
but travelling in the opposite direction can be written
as
y = 0.04 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝟑𝟎𝒕 + 𝟒𝒙)
N4. A plane progressive wave is represented by the
equation ,
𝟐𝟎𝝅𝒙
y = 0.1 sin(𝟐𝟎𝟎𝝅𝒕 − ) , where y is the
𝟏𝟕
displacement in millimeters , t is in seconds and x is the
distance from a fixed origin O in meters. Find (i) the
frequency of the wave, (ii) its wavelength (iii) its speed (iv)
the equation of the wave with double the amplitude and
double the frequency but travelling exactly in opposite
direction.