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Wave Motion
8 Comments / By Toheeb Olaide / May 2, 2020

Back to: PHYSICS SS2

Welcome to class!

In today’s class, we will be talking about wave motion. Enjoy the class!

Wave Motion

Wave motion is the transfer of energy and momentum from one point of the medium to another point of
the medium without actual transport of matter between two points. Wave motion is classified into three
different ways they are,

1. The medium of propagation,

2. The dimensions in which a wave propagates energy
3. The energy transfer

Classification of Wave Motion: Based on the Medium of Propagation

Classification of Wave Motion Based on the Medium of Propagation

Number of Dimensions a Wave Propagates Energy

BASED ON THE TRANSFER OF ENERGY

1. Standing waves (or stationary waves)

2. Progressive wave

Standing waves remain confined to a region without any transfer of energy and momentum whereas the
progressive waves transfer energy and momentum between the particles of the medium.

MECHANICAL WAVES (ELASTIC WAVES)

The waves which require a material medium for their propagation are known as mechanical waves. The
particles of the medium execute periodic motion about a mean position when the wave propagates
through the medium.

Examples of mechanical waves

1. Water waves
2. Sound waves
3. Spring waves
4. Waves of the tuning fork
 Water Wave

Properties of Medium for Mechanical Wave Propagation

1. The medium must possess inertia so that its particles can store kinetic energy.
2. The medium must possess elasticity.
3. The minimum frictional force between the particles of the medium.

NON-MECHANICAL WAVES

Waves which do not require a medium for their propagation are called a non-mechanical wave. These
types of waves can propagate through vacuum also. These are transverse in nature. For
example, electromagnetic waves and matter waves.

Transverse Wave Motion

The particles of the medium vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the
wave. The region of maximum upward displacement is called the crest region of maximum downward
displacement is called the trough.

Transverse wave motion occurs only through a medium which has rigidity modulus or shape conservation.
For example, string waves.

Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are those that do not require a material medium for their propagation. They arise
from the vibrations of Electric (E) and magnetic (m) fields. The combination between electric field and
magnetic field waves is called an Electromagnetic (E-m) wave. Examples of E-m waves are lightwave, x-ray
and gamma-ray etc. Electromagnetic waves are a family of the wave spectrum. The members and their
frequency ranges are as follows:
 S/N Name Frequency Properties/Applications

1 Radio wave Use in radio communication.

Examples include radar, TV
waves, microwaves etc. they are
generated in radio transmitters.

2 Infrared It is used in remote controls. It

can be used as an alternative to
visible light in photography. An
infrared camera can take pictures
in the dark without using flasher.

3 Visible light 107 Gives vision.

4 Ultraviolet Prevented from reaching us by the

ozone layer. Dangerous to the
skin.

5 X-ray 1010 Useful in taking photographs in

hidden tissue, broken bones etc.

6 Gamma-ray 1011 Highly penetrating wave. It could

be very dangerous to human cell
and life. Useful in killing
cancerous cells.

Difference between Mechanical and Electromagnetic waves

Mechanical Waves Electromagnetic Waves

It may be transverse or longitudinal Always transverse

Travel at speed less than light Travel at the speed of light

LONGITUDINAL WAVE MOTION

The particles of the medium vibrate about their equilibrium position in a direction parallel to the direction
of propagation of the wave is called a longitudinal waves.
Longitudinal waves require a medium with only elasticity of volume (or Bulk modulus) for its propagation.
In this type of wave motion, the waves travel through a medium in the form of compression and
rarefaction.

The region of high pressure is called a compression and the region of low pressure is called rarefaction.
For example, Sound waves in the tube.

Periodic Wave Motion

1. If the disturbance is continuous and is periodic in nature, then the wave produced is termed as a
periodic wave.
2. A periodic wave that is varying sinusoidally is called a sinusoidal periodic wave.
3. The particles of the medium execute simple harmonic motion (SHM) when a sinusoidal periodic
wave passes through the medium.

Characteristics of Wave Motion

1. In wave motion, the disturbance travels through the medium due to repeated periodic
oscillations of the particles of the medium about their mean position (or) Equilibrium position.
2. Energy and momentum are transferred from one point to another without any actual transfer of the
particles of the medium.
3. The velocity of the particle is maximum at the mean position and zeroes at the extreme position.

Terminologies in Progressive Wave Motion

1. Amplitude
2. Period
3. Wavelength
 4. Frequency
5. Wave velocity
6. Phase or phase angle (O)
7. Phase difference
8. Path difference
9. Time difference

Amplitude (A)

The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement of any particle of the medium from its equilibrium
position.

Period (T)

Period (T) of a wave is the time taken by any particle of the medium to complete one vibration during a
period (T).

Wavelength (λ)

Wavelength (λ) is equal to the distance between two consecutive particles of the medium which are in the
same state of vibration it is equal to the distance travelled by the wave by its time period (T).

Frequency (f)

It is the number of vibrations made per second by any particles of the medium (f = 1/T). Since
the frequency of a wave is a characteristic property of the source which is producing the wave motion,
hence, the frequency of a wave does not change when a wave travels from one medium to another
medium.

Phase or Phase Angle (Φ)

It represents the state of vibration of the particle of a medium with respect to its mean position.

Phase Difference Δ(Φ)

It represents the different state of vibration of a particle at two different instants (or) any pair of particles
at the same instant. ΔΦ = Φ2 – Φ1.

Wave Velocity (v)

It is the distance travelled by the wave in one second (v = λ/T). It is determined by the mechanical
properties of the medium through which the wave propagates. There are two velocities associated with a
wave. One is the wave velocity and the other one is particle velocity.

Path Difference (Δx) or (x)

It indicates the distance between two points measured along the direction of propagation of the wave
through the medium.

Time Difference (ΔT)

It indicates the time taken by the wave to travel from one point to another through the medium.

The relationship between Path Difference and Phase Difference

 Units

wavelength metre m

displacement metre m

period second s

frequency Hertz (Hz) s-1

velocity metres per second ms-1

Consider a progressive wave motion advancing in the positive direction of the x-axis

Path Difference vs Phase Difference

Let A and B be two points in the medium through which the wave passes.

The path difference between A and B is, x = x2 – x1

By the time the wave reaches B from A the phase of vibration of A has changed. The difference between
the states of vibration of A and B is called phase difference (ΔO).

From this wave motion, if we consider any two consecutive crests c1 and c2, the path difference between
them is λ, the time difference is T and the phase difference is 2π.

A path difference of (λ) corresponds to a phase difference of 2π, thus, a path difference (x) corresponds
to the phase difference 2πr/λ.

Δϕ = (2πx)/λ = 2π/λ (path difference)

Where k = 2π/λ is called wave number or propagation constant of the wave motion.

A path difference (λ) corresponds to a time difference (T), therefore, a path difference (x) corresponds to a
time difference of (x/λ)T.

EVALUATION

1. State five Uses of Electromagnetic waves.

2. Arrange the following electromagnetic waves in the order of increasing wavelength, ultraviolet,
gamma rays, radio waves, infrared, visible light, X-rays. Which has the highest frequency?
 In our next class, we will be talking about Properties of Waves. We hope you enjoyed the class.

Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to
respond as soon as possible.

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8 thoughts on “Wave Motion”

DESTINY
AUGUST 11, 2021 AT 5:49 PM

This is very at lesson site thanks so much

Reply

OSAZEEOSARETIN56
MARCH 1, 2023 AT 6:28 PM

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Reply

GODSTIME
JULY 3, 2023 AT 7:24 PM

Wow that was so great, I love it

 Reply

PROSPER
FEBRUARY 20, 2024 AT 9:34 PM

can i ask questions

Reply

ABOHHANNAH64
MAY 8, 2024 AT 7:26 PM

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Reply

NNAMDITOBECHUKWU441
NOVEMBER 5, 2024 AT 10:10 AM

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Reply

NKECHI OGBONNA
NOVEMBER 29, 2024 AT 6:14 PM

it was very helpful ♥️♥️

Reply

CHUKWUMA VANESSA
FEBRUARY 19, 2025 AT 11:33 PM

Thank you so much

I Love the lesson it was so nice and detailed
I appreciate and pray to see more of it .
Next time
 Reply

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PRIMARY 6

FULL SUBJECT SYLLABUS

 First Term

 Second Term

 Third Term

 Wave Motion
  Properties of Waves

 Light Wave

 Reflection of Light

 Refraction of Light

 Optical Instruments

 Microscope

 Sound Waves

 Musical Instruments

Open All · Close All

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