Alright 🔥 let’s dive into Wave Theory now.
SS1 Physics Notes
Topic 15: Wave Motion
1. What is a Wave?
● A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another without
transfer of matter.
● The medium particles vibrate, but they do not move with the wave.
2. Types of Waves
1. Mechanical Waves → require a medium (air, water, solid).
○ Examples: sound waves, water waves, seismic waves.
2. Electromagnetic Waves → do not require a medium; can travel through vacuum.
○ Examples: radio waves, light, X-rays, microwaves.
3. Classification of Mechanical Waves
● Transverse Waves: particles vibrate perpendicular to direction of wave propagation.
○ Example: water waves, light, radio waves.
○ Features: crests (high points), troughs (low points).
● Longitudinal Waves: particles vibrate parallel to wave direction.
○ Example: sound waves.
○ Features: compressions (high pressure), rarefactions (low pressure).
4. Properties of Waves
● Wavelength (λ): distance between two successive crests/troughs or
compressions/rarefactions.
● Frequency (f): number of oscillations per second (Hz).
● Period (T): time for one oscillation.
● Wave speed (v):
● Amplitude (A): maximum displacement of particles from rest.
5. Wave Equation
v = f \lambda
6. Wave Phenomena
1. Reflection of Waves
○ Bouncing back of a wave from a surface.
○ Obeys laws of reflection:
■ Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection.
2. Refraction of Waves
○ Change in direction of waves as they enter a different medium.
○ Example: water waves bending from deep to shallow water.
○ Light refraction described by Snell’s law:
\frac{\sin i}{\sin r} = \frac{v_1}{v_2}
3. Diffraction
○ Bending/spreading of waves when they pass through an opening or around an
obstacle.
○ More noticeable when wavelength ≈ size of aperture.
4. Interference
○ Superposition of two or more waves.
○ Constructive interference: waves in phase → bigger amplitude.
○ Destructive interference: waves out of phase → cancel out.
5. Polarization (for transverse waves only)
○ Restricting vibration of wave particles to one plane.
○ Example: polarized sunglasses reduce glare.
7. Stationary (Standing) Waves
● Formed when two waves of the same frequency and amplitude travel in opposite
directions and overlap.
● Features nodes (points of zero displacement) and antinodes (points of max
displacement).
● Found in musical instruments (guitar strings, organ pipes).
8. Examples
Q1: A wave has frequency 200 Hz and wavelength 1.5 m. Find its velocity.
v = f \lambda = 200 \times 1.5 = 300 \, \text{m/s}
Q2: Sound waves travel at 340 m/s in air. If the wavelength is 0.85 m, find the frequency.
f = \frac{v}{\lambda} = \frac{340}{0.85} = 400 \, \text{Hz}
✅ That’s Wave Theory done.
Next up in SS1: Sound Waves (properties, pitch, loudness, quality, speed of sound, echoes,
applications).
👉 Want me to drop Sound Waves full note now?