wave properties

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CIE IGCSE Physics: Co- Your notes

ordinated Sciences (Double Award)
General Properties of Waves
Contents
Features of Waves
The Wave Equation
Transverse & Longitudinal Waves
Wave Behaviour
Page 1 of 23
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Features of Waves
Your notes
Waves & energy transfer
Waves transfer energy without transferring matter
For sound waves, this means it is the wave and not the air molecules (the matter) itself that travels
Objects floating on water provide evidence that waves only transfer energy and not matter
It is possible to see objects on the surface of the water bob up and down but not change their
position
This is because the wave and not the water (the matter) itself that travels
Waves are described as oscillations or vibrations about a fixed point
For example, ripples cause particles of water to oscillate up and down
Sound waves cause particles of air to vibrate back and forth
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Worked example
Your notes
The diagram below shows a toy duck bobbing up and down on top of the surface of some water, as
waves pass it underneath.
Use this image

Explain how the toy duck demonstrates that waves do not transfer matter.
Answer:
The plastic duck moves up and down but does not travel with the wave along the surface of the
water
The water waves transfer energy, but the water particles do not move
This means when a wave travels between two points, no matter travels with it, the points on the
wave vibrate back and forth about fixed positions
Objects floating on the water bob up and down when waves pass under them, demonstrating that
there is no movement of matter in the direction of the wave, only energy
Examiner Tip
There is a key distinction between the particles (or oscillations) of a wave, and the wave itself.
The motion of the wave causes the particles to move. The particles themselves are not the wave.
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Wave motion
Wave motion can be illustrated by: Your notes
vibrations in ropes and springs
experiments using water waves
Wave vibrations
Use this image

Waves can be shown through vibrations in ropes or springs
Page 4 of 23
Properties of waves can be observed using water waves in a ripple tank

Properties include frequency, wavelength and wave speed as explained in the next section
Wave motion in a ripple tank Your notes
Use this image

Wave motion of water waves may be demonstrated using a ripple tank
Page 5 of 23
Features of a wave
When describing wave motion, there are several terms which are important to know, including: Your notes
Wavefront
Wavelength
Frequency
Crest (peak)
Trough
Amplitude
Wave speed
Wavefront
Wavefronts are a useful way of picturing waves from above: each wavefront is used to represent a
single wave
The image below illustrates how wavefronts are visualised:
The arrow shows the direction the wave is moving and is sometimes called a ray
The space between each wavefront represents the wavelength
When the wavefronts are close together, this represents a wave with a short wavelength
When the wavefronts are far apart, this represents a wave with a long wavelength
Wavefronts are viewed from above
Use this image
Page 6 of 23
Diagram showing a wave moving to the right, drawn as a series of wavefronts

Wavelength Your notes
Wavelength is defined as:
The distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave
In a transverse wave:
The wavelength can be measured from one peak to the next peak
In a longitudinal wave
The wavelength can be measured from the centre of one compression to the centre of the next
The wavelength is given the symbol λ (lambda) and is measured in metres (m)
The distance along a wave is typically put on the x-axis of a wave diagram
Wavelength and amplitude of a transverse wave
Use this image

Diagram showing the amplitude and wavelength of a wave
Frequency
Frequency is defined as:
The number of waves passing a point in a second
Frequency is given by the symbol f and is measured in Hertz (Hz)
Crests & troughs
A crest, or a peak, is defined as:
The highest point on a wave above the equilibrium, or rest position
A trough is defined as
Page 7 of 23
The lowest point on a wave below the equilibrium, or rest, position

Wave crests and troughs Your notes
Use this image

Diagram showing a crest and a trough on a transverse wave
Amplitude
Amplitude is defined as:
The distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave
It is given the symbol A and is measured in metres (m)
Amplitude is the maximum or minimum displacement from the undisturbed position
Wave speed
Wave speed is the speed at which energy is transferred through a medium
Wave speed is defined as:
The distance travelled by a wave each second
The equation used to calculate wave speed is explained in The wave equation
Page 8 of 23
Worked example
Your notes
Small water waves are created in a ripple tank by a wooden bar. The wooden bar vibrates up and down
hitting the surface of the water. The diagram below shows a cross-section of the ripple tank and water.
Use this image

Identify the letter which shows:
a) The amplitude of a water wave.
b) The wavelength of the water wave.
Answer:
Part (a)
Step 1: Recall the definition of amplitude
Amplitude = The distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave
Step 2: Mark the undisturbed position on the wave
This is the centre of the wave
Use this image

Step 3: Identify the arrow between the undisturbed position and a peak
Page 9 of 23
The amplitude is shown by arrow D

Part (b)
Your notes
Step 1: Recall the definition of wavelength
Wavelength = The distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave
Step 2: Draw lines on each horizontal arrow
This helps to identify the points on the wave the arrows are referring to
Use this image

Step 3: Identify the arrow between two of the same points on the wave
The wavelength is shown by arrow C
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The Wave Equation

Your notes
The wave equation
The equation used to calculate wave speed is:
v= f ×λ
Where:
v = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)
f = wave frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)
λ = wavelength, measured in metres (m)
Wave speed is defined as:
The distance travelled by a wave each second
Wave speed is the speed at which energy is transferred through a medium
Transverse and longitudinal waves both obey the wave equation
Wave speed formula triangle
Page 11 of 23
Your notes
For more information on how to use a formula triangle refer to the revision note on speed & velocity
Page 12 of 23
Worked example
Your notes
A wave in a pond has a speed of 0.15 m/s and a time period of 2 seconds. Calculate:
a) The frequency of the wave
b) The wavelength of the wave
Answer:
Part (a)
Step 1: List the known quantities
Time period, T = 2 s
Step 2: State the equation relating time period and frequency
1
T=
f
Step 3: Rearrange for frequency, f, and calculate the answer
1 1
f = =
T 2
Frequency, f = 0.5 Hz
Part (b)
Step 1: List the known quantities
Wave speed, v = 0.15 m/s
Frequency, f = 0.5 Hz
Step 2: Write out the wave speed equation
v=f ×λ
Step 3: Rearrange the equation to calculate the wavelength
v
λ=
f
Step 4: Use the frequency you calculated in part (a) and put the values into the equation
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0 . 15
λ=
0.5 Your notes
Wavelength, λ = 0.30 m
Examiner Tip
When stating equations make sure you use the right letters. For example, use λ for wavelength, not L or
W
If you can’t remember the correct letters, then just state the word equations
Be careful with units: wavelength is usually measured in metres and speed in m/s, but if the wavelength
is given in cm you might have to provide the speed in cm/s
Likewise, watch out for the frequency given in kHz: 1 kHz = 1000 Hz
Page 14 of 23
Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

Your notes
Transverse waves
Extended tier only
Waves can exist as one of two types:
Transverse
Longitudinal
Transverse waves
Transverse waves are defined as:
Waves where the direction of vibration is at right angles to the direction of propagation
For a transverse wave:
The energy transfer is perpendicular to the wave motion
They can move in solids, and on the surface of liquids but not in liquids or gases
They can move in a vacuum
Transverse wave motion
Transverse waves can be seen in a rope when it is moved quickly up and down
Examples of waves that can be modelled as transverse are:
Electromagnetic waves (such as radiowaves, visible light, X-rays etc)
Ripples on the surface of water
Page 15 of 23
Seismic S-waves (secondary earthquake waves)
Your notes
Page 16 of 23
Longitudinal waves
Extended tier only Your notes
Longitudinal waves are defined as:
Waves where the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of propagation
For a longitudinal wave:
The energy transfer is in the same direction as the wave motion
They can move in solids, liquids and gases
They can not move in a vacuum (since there are no particles)
The key features of a longitudinal wave are where the points are:
Close together, called compressions
Spaced apart, called rarefactions
Longitudinal wave motion
Longitudinal waves can be seen in a slinky spring when it is moved quickly backwards and forwards
Examples of waves that can be modelled as longitudinal waves are:
Sound waves
Seismic P-waves (primary earthquake waves)
Difference between transverse and longitudinal waves

Comparing transverse and longitudinal waves
Property Transverse waves Longitudinal waves
Structure Peaks and troughs Compressions and rarefactions
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Right angles to the direction of energy

Vibration Parallel to the direction of energy transfer
transfer
Your notes
Only electromagnetic waves can travel in
Vacuum Cannot travel in a vacuum
a vacuum
Can move in solids and the surfaces of
Material Can move in solids, liquids and gases
liquids
Density A constant density The density of the wave changes
Pressure Has a constant pressure Pressure in the wave changes
Depends on the material the wave is Depends on the material the wave is
Speed of wave
travelling in travelling in
Examiner Tip
The key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is the direction of the vibrations with
respect to the direction of the wave itself. For transverse waves, these are perpendicular to each other,
whilst for longitudinal waves, these are parallel.
Page 18 of 23
Wave Behaviour
Your notes
Reflection & refraction
All waves, whether transverse or longitudinal, can undergo:
reflection at a plane surface
refraction due to a change of speed
In optics, a transparent material is called a medium
When referring to more than one medium these are called media
Angles of light are measured from an imaginary line called the normal
The normal is always drawn perpendicular to the boundary between two media
Reflection
Reflection occurs when:
A wave hits a boundary between two media at a plane surface and does not pass through,
but instead stays in the original medium
An example of reflection
An identical image of the tree is seen in the water due to reflection
Page 19 of 23
Refraction
When waves enter a different medium, their speed can change Your notes
This effect is called refraction and it occurs when:
A wave passes a boundary between two different transparent media and undergoes a
change in speed
When a wave refracts, as well as a change in speed, the wave also undergoes:
A change in wavelength (but frequency stays the same)
A change in direction
An example of refraction
Waves can change direction when moving between materials with different densities
The direction of the incident and refracted rays are also taken from the normal line
If the waves slow down, they will bunch together, causing the wavelength to decrease
The waves will also start to turn slightly towards the normal
If the waves speed up then they will spread out, causing the wavelength to increase
The waves will also turn slightly away from the normal
Page 20 of 23
Examiner Tip
Your notes
When drawing waves being reflected take care to:
Make sure that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection
Keep the wavelength of the waves the same
Similarly, when waves are diffracted the wavelength remains constant.
Refraction is the only wave effect in which the wavelength changes.
Remember:
Refraction is the name given to the change in the speed of a wave when it passes from one medium to
another. The change in direction is a consequence of this.
Page 21 of 23
Diffraction
Diffraction Your notes
When waves pass through a narrow gap, the waves spread out
This effect is called diffraction
Waves diffracting through a narrow gap
Diffraction: when a wave passes through a narrow gap, it spreads out

The extent of diffraction depends on the width of the gap compared with the wavelength of the waves
Diffraction is the most prominent when the width of the slit is approximately equal to the
wavelength
As the gap gets bigger, the effect gradually gets less pronounced until, in the case that the gap is very
much larger than the wavelength, the waves no longer spread out at all
Effect of gap size on diffraction
Page 22 of 23
Your notes
The size of the gap (compared to the wavelength) affects how much the waves spread out
Page 23 of 23

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CIE IGCSE Physics: Co- Your notes

Use this image

Use this image

Properties of waves can be observed using water waves in a ripple tank

Use this image

Use this image

Diagram showing a wave moving to the right, drawn as a series of wavefronts

Use this image

The lowest point on a wave below the equilibrium, or rest, position

Use this image

Use this image

Use this image

The amplitude is shown by arrow D

Use this image

The Wave Equation

Wave speed formula triangle

Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

Seismic S-waves (secondary earthquake waves)

Difference between transverse and longitudinal waves

Property Transverse waves Longitudinal waves

Structure Peaks and troughs Compressions and rarefactions

Right angles to the direction of energy

Density A constant density The density of the wave changes

Pressure Has a constant pressure Pressure in the wave changes

An identical image of the tree is seen in the water due to reflection

Diffraction: when a wave passes through a narrow gap, it spreads out

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