WAVE

Q. Define wave.

A. Wave is a disturbance produced in a medium due to the repeated periodic vibrations of

the particles of the medium, about their equilibrium position. The vibration is handed
over from one particle to another. Thus wave transfer energy from one point to another.
When a wave propagates there is no flow of medium or flow of matter as a whole.

Q. State the characteristics of wave motion or progressive wave.

A. 1. When a wave propagates through a medium, the disturbance travels outwards. The
particles of the medium do not travel. They vibrate about their mean position.
2. Each particle of the medium lags behind its predecessor by a definite phase angle.
3. The velocity of particle is different from velocity of propagation of the wave.
4. The velocity of the wave is constant in a medium. But the particle velocity is different
at different point.

Q. Define longitudinal wave & transverse wave.

A. Longitudinal wave: A wave which propagates along the direction of vibration of the
particles of the medium is called longitudinal wave. Example- sound wave.

Transverse wave: A wave which propagates in a direction perpendicular to the direction

of vibration of the particles of the medium is called transverse wave. Example- vibration
of a string in violin.

Q. State the differences between longitudinal wave & transverse wave.

A.
Longitudinal wave Transverse wave
Wave propagates along the direction of Wave propagates in a direction
vibration of the particles of the medium. perpendicular to the direction of vibration
of the particles of the medium.
The wave propagates in the form of The wave propagates in the form of crests
compression and rarefactions. and troughs.
This wave can not be polarised. This wave can be polarised.

Q. Define amplitude, frequency, wavelength, velocity of a wave.

A. Amplitude: amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of any particle of the

medium from the equilibrium position.

Frequency: Frequency of wave is the number of vibration made by the particle in one
second.

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Wavelength: Wavelength is the distance traveled by a wave during one complete
vibration of the particle in the medium. It is also equal to the distance between two
consecutive points of the medium which are in same phase.

Velocity: Velocity of the wave is the distance traveled by the wave in one second.

Q. How wavelength, frequency and velocity of wave are related?

A. When a particle completes one to and fro motion in a time T, the wave travels a
distance λ.
Dis tan ce λ
Velocity (V) = =
Time T
1
But n = , where n is the frequency.
T
V = nλ .

Q. Derive an expression for displacement in wave motion (Equation for progressive

wave).

A. As a wave advances through a medium, its particles execute SHM about their mean
positions. At any instant‘t’, the displacement of the particle is then given by
y = aSinωt …….(1)
Where ‘a’ is the amplitude and ω is the angular frequency.
Now although every particle of the medium is executing identical vibrations, they are not
all in the same phase. If the wave is assumed to be traveling in the positive direction of
X-axis, each particle lags behind its predecessor to the left. So, at the same instant ‘t’, the
displacement of another particle at a distance ‘x’ to the right of the above particle is given
by
y = aSin(ωt − θ ) ………(2)
Where θ gives the lag in phase. Now the phase difference between two particles separated
by a distance of one wavelength λ is 2π .
2π
Hence, θ = x.
λ
Substituing the value of θ in equation (2) gives
2π 2π 2π 2π
y = aSin(ωt − x) = aSin( t − x) , where ω =
λ T λ T
t x
y = aSin 2π ( − )
T λ
This gives the equation of a progressive wave traveling along the positive x-direction.

λ
Alternative form: Since wave velocity V = nλ = , we get,
T

2
 2π
y = aSin (Vt − x) .
λ
Q. Establish the relation between particle velocity & wave velocity.

dy
A. If the slope of the wave curve be m, then m = .
dx
t x
Now, y = aSin 2π ( − )
T λ
dy 2π t x
m= =− aCos 2π ( − ) .
dx λ T λ
The particle velocity,
dy 2π t x
v′ = = aCos 2π ( − ).
dt T T λ
m T T 1
=− =− = − , [λ = vT ]
v′ λ vT v
v ′ = −v × m .
Particle velocity = - wave velocity × slope of the wave curve.

SUPERPOSITION OF WAVES
Q. Define standing wave.

A. When two identical progressive waves traveling in the same medium along the same
straight line with the same velocity but in opposite direction are superposed, they give
rise to a system of waves alternately waxing and waning ( expanding and shrinking), but
not proceeding in either direction. Such waves are called standing wave or stationary
wave.

Q. State the characteristics of stationary wave.

A. 1. Stationary waves are produced when two exactly alike progressive waves traveling
in the same medium along the same straight line with the same velocity but in opposite
direction are superposed. Stationary waves may be produced by both transverse and
longitudinal waves.
2. These waves do not advance through the medium but remain fixed in the region in
which the component progressive waves overlap.
3. The particles of the medium do not execute identical motions but each executes SHM.
4. In between two adjacent nodes, all particles vibrate in same phase with one another but
they are in opposite phase with the particles between the next pair of nodes.
5. The magnitude of change of pressure and density varies from point to point. The
maximum change occurs at nodes while the minimum change takes place at antinodes.

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Q. Define nodes and antinodes.

A. Node: The points at which the particle vibrate with zero amplitude are called node.
Antinodes: The points at which the particles vibrate with maximum amplitude are called
antinodes.

Q Derive an equation for standing wave.

A. Consider a wave moving along the positive x-direction. Its equation,

2π
y1 = aSin (Vt − x)
λ
Where, a is the amplitude, V is the velocity and λ is the wavelength.

The equation of an identical progressive wave traveling in the negative direction of X-

axis is given by:
2π
y 2 = aSin (Vt + x) .
λ
From the principal of superposition, the resultant displacement y = y1 + y 2 .

2π 2π
y = a[ Sin (Vt − x) + Sin (Vt + x)]
λ λ
2πx 2πVt
y = 2aCos Sin
λ λ
t 2πx
y = ASin2π [ λ = VT ], Where A = 2aCos .
T λ
This is the equation of a stationary wave.

Q. Show that the distance between two adjacent nodes is λ/2.

t 2πx
A. y = ASin 2π , Where A = 2aCos .
T λ
2πx
At the points of nodes Cos =0
λ
2πx π
= (2n + 1)
λ 2
λ
or, x = (2n + 1)
4
Where n = 0,1,2,3 etc.; x = λ/4, 3λ/4, 5λ/4 etc.
So, it is clear that the distance between two adjacent nodes being obviously λ/2.

Q. Show that the distance between two adjacent antinodes is λ/2.

t 2πx
A. y = ASin2π , Where A = 2aCos .
T λ

4
 2πx
At the points of antinodes Cos = ±1 .
λ
2πx
= nπ
λ
nλ
Or, x =
2
Where n = 0,1,2,3 etc.; x = 0, λ/2, λ, 3λ/2 etc.
So, it is clear that the distance between two adjacent antinodes being obviously λ/2.

Q. Write down the laws of transverse vibration of a string.

A. Law of length: Tension and the mass per unit length remaining constant, the
frequency of transverse vibration of a particular sting varies inversely as its length.
1
n ∝ , when T and m are constants.
l
Law of tension: For a given length of a particular string, the frequency of transverse
vibration of a particular sting varies directly as the square root of tension.
n ∝ T , when l & m are constants.

Law of mass: For different string of the same length and stretched by same tension, the
frequency of transverse vibration of a particular sting varies inversely as the square root
of the mass per unit length of the strings.
1
n∝ when l & T are constants.
m

Q. Draw the diagram and explain the first three modes of transverse vibration of a
stretched string clamped at both ends.

A.

First mode: In this simple mode of vibration , in addition to the nodes at the ends, a
single antinode is formed in the middle. Let the length of the stretched string be l.

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 λ
So, in this case l = or, λ = 2l .
2
V V 1 T T
Fundamental frequency n1 = = = [V= , [where, T is the Tension and m
λ 2l 2l m m
is the mass per unit length]

Second mode: In this mode of vibration one node and two antinodes are formed in the
intermediate region. Let the length of the stretched string be l.
So, in this case l = λ or, λ = l .

V V 1 T T
Frequency n2 = = = [ V= , [where, T is the Tension and m is the mass
λ l l m m
per unit length]

Third mode: In this mode of vibration two nodes and three antinodes are formed in
between the nodes at the ends. Let the length of the stretched string be l.
3λ 2l
So, in this case l = or, λ = .
2 3
V V 3 T T
Frequency n3 = = = [V = , [where, T is the Tension and m is the mass
λ 2l 2l m m
3
per unit length].

Q. Define fundamental frequency, overtones and harmonics.

A. Fundamental frequency: The lowest frequency with which the system vibrates is
called fundamental frequency or first harmonic.

Overtones: All the modes of vibration, except the fundamental, are called overtones.

Harmonics: Those mode of vibration whose frequencies are exact multiples of the
fundamental frequency are called harmonics

Q. Show with diagram that in the vibration of an air column contained in a closed
pipe only odd harmonics are present.

A.

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Fundamental frequency or first harmonic: In this simple mode of vibration of air in a
closed pipe , there is a node at the closed end and antinode at open end. Let the length of
the pipe be l.
λ
So, in this case l = or, λ = 4l .
4
V V
Fundamental frequency n1 = =
λ 4l

First overtone: In this mode of vibration in addition to the node at the closed end and
antinode at open end, there are one more node and one more antinode in the intermediate
region. Let the length of the pipe be l.
3λ 4l
So, in this case l = 1 or, λ1 = .
4 3
V 3V
Frequency n2 = = = 3n
λ1 4l
Second overtone: In this mode of vibration, there will be a pair of nodes and a pair of
antinodes placed evenly along the length of tube in addition to the node at the closed end
and antinode at open end. Let the length of the pipe be l.
5λ 4l
So, in this case l = 2 or, λ 2 = .
4 5
V 5V
Frequency n3 = = = 5n
λ2 4l
The frequencies of vibration for a closed pipe are in the ratio 1:3:5:7………
So, in the vibration of an air column contained in a closed pipe only odd harmonics are
present.

Q. What are the frequencies of the fundamental and first two vibration of an air
column of length ‘l’ with both sides open? Illustrate your answer with suitable
diagram.

A.

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Fundamental frequency or first harmonic: In this simple mode of vibration of air in a
open pipe antinodes are always formed at the open ends.
λ
So, in this case l = or, λ = 2l .
2
V V
Fundamental frequency n1 = =
λ 2l
First overtone: In this mode of vibration, there are two intermediate nodes and one
intermediate antinode in between the antinodes at the ends.
So, in this case l = λ1 or, λ1 = l .
V V
Frequency n2 = = = 2n
λ1 l
Second overtone: this simple mode of vibration of air in a open pipe, in addition to the
antinodes at the open ends, three nodes and two antinodes are formed in the intermediate
region.
3λ 2l
So, in this case l = 2 or, λ 2 = .
2 3
V 3V
Frequency n3 = = = 3n
λ2 2l
The frequencies of vibration for a open pipe are in the ratio 1:2:3:4………
So, all harmonics are present in the vibration of air column in an open pipe.

Q. State the differences between closed an open pipe for vibration of air column.

A.
Closed pipe Open pipe
An antinode is always formed at the open Antinodes are always formed at the open
end and node at the close end. end.
The fundamental frequency is V/4l. The fundamental frequency is V/2l.
The frequencies of vibration for a closed The frequencies of vibration for a open
pipe are in the ratio 1:3:5:7……… pipe are in the ratio 1:2:3:4………
The quality of sound emitted lacks in The sound emitted is richer and sweeter
fullness. than that produced by a closed pipe.