Wave Motion
A complete online free notes on Wave Motion for HSEB/NEB students . This note is provided by tutors of different colleges.

Wave
A wave is a continuous transfer of energy and momentum in thee form of disturbance travelling with a certain velocity from one point to another point into a medium.
Energy is transferred due to repeated simple harmonic motion of particles.
Types of waves
- Mechanical Wave
Wave that requires a medium to propagate is called the mechanical wave. For example :- Sound wave. - Non-Mechanical Wave
Wave that does not require a medium to propagate is called non mechanical wave. For example :- Electro magnetic wave.
Some basic terms related to wave
- Displacement
The linear distance travelled by a particle from its mean position is called displacement. It is denoted by symbol 'y'.
The displacement of a particle executing simple harmonic motion is given by : y= a Sin ωt - Amplitude
The maximum value of displacement of a particle from its mean position is called amplitude. It is denoted by symbol 'a' or 'r'. - Time period
The total time taken by a wave to complete one cycle is called its time period. It is denoted by 'T'. - Frequency
The total number of revolution or oscillations made per second is called it's frequency. It is denoted by the symbol 'f'.
It is equal to the reciprocal of time period i.e. \(f= \frac{1}{T}\) . - Wave length
The linear distance travelled by a wave during one cycle is called wavelength. It is denoted by the symbol 'λ'. - Wave velocity
Velocity with which a wave propagates into a medium is called wave velocity. It is generally denoted by symbol 'v'. The velocity of wave is different depending upon the medium. - Particle velocity
The velocity with which particles of a medium vibrates when wave propagates through that medium is called particle velocity. It is denoted by symbol 'u'.
In other words , the rate of change of displacement of the particle is called particle velocity.
Since , \(y= a \sin \omega t\)
then , \(u = \frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{d( a \sin \omega t)}{dt} \)
\(or, u = a \omega \cos \omega t\)
\(For u=u(max) , \cos \omega t=1\)
\(u_{(max)} =a \omega\)
Relation between wave velocity, frequency and wave length of a wave
We have,
\(Wave\ velocity(v) = \frac{distance\ travelled\ by\ a\ wave\ during\ one\ cycle(\lambda)}{time\ taken\ to\ complete\ one\ cycle(T)}\)
\(or , v= \frac{\lambda}{T}\)
\(or, v= \lambda f\)
Phase angle
The angular displacement of a particle from it's mean position denotes it's phase.
The displacement of a particle is,
y= a Sin ωt
Here, ωt=phase angle
Relation between phase difference and path difference
For a path difference λ , phase difference = 2 π
For a path difference 1, phase difference = \(\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda}\)
For a path difference x, phase difference = \(\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} . x\)
If φ be the phase difference between particle 'A' and 'P' where 'x' is the path difference then,
\(\phi = \frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} . x\)
\(\phi = k. x\)
where, \(k= \frac{2 \pi}{\lambda}\) is called propagation constant.
Wave motion
The repeated simple harmonic motion of particles by which energy get transferred in between particles in the form of disturbance is called wave motion.
Depending upon the direction of vibration of particles, there are two kinds of wave motion.
- Transverse Wave Motion
The wave motion where particles vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of wave is called transverse wave motion.
Wave having such kinds of motion are called transverse wave.
Eg :- light wave, electro-magnetic wave etc. - Longitudinal Wave Motion
The wave motion where particles vibrates in a direction parallel to the direction of propagation of wave is called longitudinal wave motion.
Wave having such kinds of motion are called longitudinal wave.
Eg:- sound wave , wave in pipe etc.
A longitudinal wave propagates in the form of compression and rarefraction.
During compression, vibrating particles come closer so that the volume of a medium decreases with increase in pressure as well as density whereas during rarefraction vibrating particles goes far away so that the volume of a medium increases with decrease in pressure as well as density .
Here longitudinal wave are also called pressure wave.
Progressive wave
The wave that transfer energy from one point to another point into a medium is called progressive wave. It is also called travelling wave.
Let us consider a wave having wavelength 'λ' is travelling from A to B with velocity 'v' as shown in the figure. As soon as wave propagates particles of the mediun vibrates about its mean position. The displacement of particle at A is given by
y= a Sin ωt...... (i)
where a=amplitude ω=angular velocity
Again consider a point 'P" at a distance 'x' from point A. Particles at point P vibrates lately than particles at A. So, the displacement of particles at P is given by
y= a Sin (ωt-φ) ...... (ii)
where φ=phase angle of particle at P
Since, \(\phi= \frac {2 \pi}{\lambda} x =kx \)
Equation ii becomes ,
y= a Sin (ωt-kx).........(iii)
Since, \(\omega= 2 \pi f = \frac{2 \pi}{T}\)
Euation (iii) becomes,
\(y= a \sin(2 \pi \frac{t}{T}- \frac{2 \pi}{\lambda}x)\)
\(y= a \sin 2 \pi (\frac{t}{T}-\frac{x}{\lambda})\)............(iv)
Also, \(\omega = 2 \pi f = 2 \pi \frac{v}{\lambda}[v= f. \lambda]\)
Equation (iv) becomes,
\(y= a \sin (\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} v t - \frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} x)\)
\(y= a \sin \frac{2 \pi}{\lambda}(v t - x)\)............(v)
Hence, eqn (iii), (iv) and (v) are the required progressive wave equations.
For wave travelling along negative x-axis the above equations becomes,
y= a sin (ω t + k x)
\(y= a \sin 2 \pi (\frac{t}{T}+ \frac{x}{\lambda})\)
\(y= a \sin \frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} (vt + x)\)
Principle of Superposition of Waves
When 'n' no. of waves are travelling simultaneously into a medium then each particle of the medium is displaced by these waves.
Principle of Superposition of Waves state that " The total displacement of a particle due to 'n' no. of waves is equal to the sum of displacement given to meet by each wave."
Let y1 , y2 , ......., yn be the displacement of a particle due to 'n' no of waves then the total displacement is ,
y = y1 + y2 + ..........+ yn
Stationary Wave
The resultant wave formed by the super position of two progressive wave having same amplitude and same frequency travelling with equal velocity in opposite direction is called stationary wave or standing wave. It is called so because there is no transmission of energy during wave propagation.
Stationary Wave Equation
Let us consider two progressive wave having same amplitude and same frequency travelling with same velocities in opposite direction. Their wave equation can be written as,
\(y_{1} = a \sin (\omega t + k x).........(i)\)
\(y_{2} = a \sin (\omega t - k x).........(ii)\)
where a = amplitude
Using principle of superposition of wave,
\(y = y_{1} + y_{2}\)
\(or, y = a \sin (\omega t + k x) + a \sin (\omega t - k x)\)
\(or, y = a [\sin (\omega t + k x) + a \sin (\omega t - k x)]\)
\(or, y = 2 a \sin \frac{\omega t + k x + \omega t - k x }{2} \cos \frac{\omega t + k x - \omega t + k x }{2}\)
\(or, y = 2 a \sin \omega t . \cos k x\)
\(or, y = 2 a \cos kx . \sin \omega t\) ............(iii)
This is the stationary wave equation . Comparing eqn (iii) with \(y= A \sin \omega t\) we get,
A = 2 a Cos kx is the amplitude of stationary wave.
Formation of Nodes
The points where amplitude of the resultant wave becomes zero are called nodes. For formation of nodes,
We must have,
\(\cos k x = 0\)
\(or, \cos k xn = \cos (2n+1) \frac{\pi}{2}\) where n= 0,1,2,3 .....
\(or, k xn = (2n+1) \frac{\pi}{2}\)
\(or, \frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} . xn = (2n+1) \frac{\pi}{2}\)
\(or, xn = \frac{(2n+1) \lambda}{4}\)
where, x = position of nodes
Hence, nodes are formed at a distance \(\frac{\lambda}{4}\), \(\frac{3 \lambda}{4}\) , \(\frac{5 \lambda}{4}\)........... from mean position.
Distance between corresponding nodes,
\(= \frac{3 \lambda}{4} - \frac{\lambda}{4}\)
\(= \frac{2 \lambda}{4}\)
\(= \frac{\lambda}{2}\)
Formation of Anti nodes
The points where the amplitude of the resultant wave becomes maximum are called antinodes.
For the formation of anti nodes we must have,
\(Cos kx = 1\)
\(or, Cos kx_{n} = Cos n \pi\)
where n = 0,1,2,3,....
\(kx_{n} = n \pi\)
\(\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} x_{n} = n \pi\)
\(x_{n} = \frac{n \lambda}{2}\)
Hence, antinodes is formed at origin and other at a distance of \(frac{\lambda}{2}, \(\lambda\) , \(\frac{3 \lambda}{2}\)..... from the mean position.
Difference between two corresponding anti nodes,
\(\lambda - \frac{\lambda}{2} = \frac{\lambda}{2}\)
Hence, during the formation of stationary wave nodes and anti nodes are equally seperated .
Natural Frequency
Every object in the universe has a tendency to oscillate. The frequency with which a body oscillates is called it's natural frequency.
Free oscillation
The oscillation of a body in the absence of external resistive force(air resistance) is called free oscillation. The amplitude and energy of a freely oscillating body is always constant. Example : motion of simple pendulum.
Damped oscillation
The oscillation of a body in the presence of external resistive force (air resistance) is called damped oscillation. During damped oscillation , amplitude and energy of the oscillating body decreases continuously. This condition is called damping condition.
Forced oscillation
When a body is under damping condition, an external force has to be applied to continue it's oscillation. The oscillation of a body in the presence of external periodic force is calld forced oscillation.
Resonance
When frequency of external source(f) is equal to the natural frequency (fo) of a body then the body vibrates with maximum amplitude. This condition is called resonance and the source frequency f is called resonant frequency.
Special Thanks(Credit) : Hari Saran Regmi Sir