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The Smart School (Cantt. Way Campus)
A Project of The City School
Physics Class 10th
Chapter 1: Properties of Waves (Comprehensive Notes)
1. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
Definition: Simple Harmonic Motion is a specific type of oscillatory motion in which the
acceleration of the body is directly proportional to its displacement from the mean position and
is always directed towards that mean position.
a ∝ −x
Where a represents acceleration and x represents displacement. The negative sign (−) indicates
that the acceleration (and the restoring force) is always directed opposite to the direction of
displacement, pulling the body back toward the equilibrium/mean position.
Key Characteristics of SHM:
•Restoring Force: A force that always acts to push or pull the oscillating object back
toward its stable equilibrium (mean) position.
• Velocity: Reaches its maximum value at the mean position (x = 0), and drops to zero at
the extreme positions.
•Acceleration: Reaches its maximum value at the extreme positions, and drops to zero
at the mean position.
2. Important Terms Related to Wave Motion
• Time Period (T): The time taken by an oscillating body to complete one full cycle or vibration.
Its SI unit is the second (s).
• Frequency (f): The number of complete waves or vibrations produced per second. Its SI unit is
Hertz (Hz).
f=1/T
• Amplitude (A or x0): The maximum displacement of an oscillating particle or wave from its
central mean position. Its SI unit is the meter (m).
• Wavelength (λ): The linear distance between two consecutive points in phase, such as two
consecutive crests or troughs in a transverse wave, or two consecutive compressions or
rarefactions in a longitudinal wave. Its SI unit is the meter (m).
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The Smart School (Cantt. Way Campus)
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3. Wave Motion and Classification of Waves
Wave Motion: A mechanism or disturbance created in a medium that travels from one location to
another, transferring energy progressively without transferring the actual matter or particles of
the medium.
Waves are categorized into two primary classes based on their dependence on a material medium:
I. Mechanical Waves
Waves that strictly require a physical material medium (such as a solid, liquid, or gas) to travel
and propagate. Examples include sound waves, water surface waves, and waves produced in a
stretched string.
Mechanical waves are further subdivided into two types based on the directional relationship
between particle vibration and wave travel:
Feature Transverse Waves Longitudinal Waves
Particles of the medium vibrate Particles of the medium
Particle Vibration perpendicularly to the direction of vibrate parallel (back and
wave propagation. forth) to the direction of
wave propagation.
Consists of alternating
Consists of alternating Crests
Compressions
Wave Components (highest points of displacement)
(high-pressure/high-density
and Troughs (lowest points of
zones) and Rarefactions (low-
displacement).
pressure/low-density zones).
Sound waves in air, waves
Light waves (electromagnetic),
Primary Examples generated along a compressed
water waves, plucked string
helical spring (Slinky).
waves.
II. Electromagnetic Waves
Waves that do not require any material medium for propagation and can efficiently travel through
a complete vacuum. Examples include visible light, X-rays, Radio waves, and Ultraviolet rays.
4. Derivation of the Wave Equation
Objective: To derive the fundamental relationship linking wave velocity (v), frequency (f), and
wavelength (λ). From basic kinematics, the formula for linear speed is given by:
Speed = Distance / Time
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The Smart School (Cantt. Way Campus)
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v=d/t
When a wave travels a distance equal to exactly one wavelength (d = λ), the time taken matches
exactly one time period (t = T). Substituting these characteristic wave values into the equation
gives:
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The Smart School (Cantt. Way Campus)
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v=λ/T
Since frequency is defined mathematically as the reciprocal of the time period (f = 1 / T), we can
substitute 1 / T with f to obtain:
v = fλ
This expression constitutes the fundamental wave equation, which remains completely valid for
all types of waves.
5. Fundamental Properties of Waves
A. Reflection
The phenomenon where a wave, while traveling in a specific medium, strikes the boundary
surface of a second medium and bounces back into its original medium. It strictly obeys the law
of reflection, where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection (θi = θr).
B. Refraction
The change in the direction and speed of a wave as it passes obliquely from one physical
medium into another. During refraction, the frequency (f) of the wave remains strictly constant,
while its speed (v) and wavelength (λ) change proportionally.
C. Diffraction
The bending, spreading, or deviation of waves around sharp edges, corners, obstacles, or small
openings/ slits. Diffraction becomes highly noticeable and pronounced only when the size of the
slit or obstacle is comparable to or smaller than the wavelength of the wave.
ASSIGNMENT: PROPERTIES OF WAVES
Section A: Short Answer Questions
Question 1
State the fundamental conditions necessary for a mechanical system to execute Simple
Harmonic Motion (SHM).
Question 2
Differentiate clearly between Transverse waves and Longitudinal waves. Provide one practical
example for each type.
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The Smart School (Cantt. Way Campus)
A Project of The City School
Question 3
Explain why electromagnetic waves can easily propagate through the vacuum of outer
space, whereas mechanical sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum.
Question 4
Define the following wave parameters clearly along with their standard SI units: (i) Amplitude,
(ii) Frequency,
(iii) Wavelength.
Question 5
A periodic wave traveling in a medium has a wavelength of 0.5 meters. If it travels with a
uniform linear velocity of 340 m/s, calculate the frequency of the wave.
Question 6
What is meant by the term diffraction of waves? State the precise physical condition under which
diffraction becomes visually observable.
Section B: Detailed/Long Answer Questions
Question 1
(a) Derive the fundamental wave equation step-by-step to show the mathematical relationship: v
= fλ.
(b) Comprehensive explanation of Wave Refraction: Describe what happens precisely to the
wave speed, wavelength, and frequency of a water wave when it transitions from a deep water
region into a shallow water region.
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