The following Topics and Sub-Topics are covered in this chapter and are available on MSVgo:
The following Topics and Sub-Topics are covered in this chapter and are available on MSVgo:
Here’s a Simple Introduction to Waves
Waves is a significant chapter of physics. It is challenging but it’s easier once you understand the concepts. We hope this article helps you grasp the knowledge and concepts.
Waves in Physics talks about a cause of disturbance in a medium. This disturbance leads to a flow of energy where the particles do not move. Waves also involve a periodic and repetitive movement of energy from point A to point B. You are surrounded by different types of waves in your everyday life. We will help you elucidate on the different wave types and their properties.
Waves can be characterized by several properties. A wave is a physical identity which has frequency, height, etc. These properties will define the kind of wave. Some of the properties include:
1. Amplitude
Amplitude is the height of the wave. Wave transports energy in patterns and height. You can measure the same in metres, and that is known as the amplitude of the wave. Amplitude is directly related to the energy which is carried on by a wave.
2. Wavelength
Wavelength refers to the distance between two successive peaks. You can call it a distance between two identical points when adjacent cycles of wave crests are taken into consideration. Wavelength being a distance can also be measured in metres.
3. Period
Period refers to the time taken by a particle travelling in a medium to cover one complete cycle of vibration. This property is measured in seconds. You can also use minutes to gauge the period of a wave.
4. Frequency
Understanding the frequency of a wave is very important. It talks about the number of waves that pass through a particular point at a particular time. The SI unit of frequency is Hertz, denoted by Hz.
There is an inverse relationship between the period and the frequency of a particular wave.
Period = 1/ Frequency
5. Speed
The speed of the wave shows how fast a particle moves on the wave at a particular time interval. Speed of a wave is measured in metres/seconds.
The wave speed formula: v (speed) = Wavelength / Period
The result would be in metre/second.
Waves are of different types. You can categorise waves on the basis of their characteristics and also based on the medium through which they travel. Some of the popular kinds of waves are explained below:
a. Transverse Waves
In these waves, the particles moving through the waves oscillate at right angles to the direction in which propagation of waves takes place. These waves follow a cyclical pattern when it comes to movements. A simple experiment would be to drop a pebble in water, the ripples that form with it is an example of Transverse waves.
b. Longitudinal Wave
In the case of longitudinal waves, the particles oscillate in the direction in which the wave propagates. A longitudinal wave is formed by a series of rarefactions and compressions. In the case of compression, the density and pressure reach a maximum point. These waves can also propagate if they are travelling through a gaseous medium. These waves are of different kinds. Some of the longitudinal waves include sound waves, P-type earthquake waves, compression waves, etc.
c. Electromagnetic Waves
These waves come into play if there is a generation of an electric as well as a magnetic field. The waves move perpendicularly and are also perpendicular to each other. Also, these ways do not need a medium of propagation. They can exist naturally and are also transverse in nature. These waves have momentum and can be easily polarised. They also do not deflect if they encounter an electric or a magnetic field.
d. Mechanical Waves
These waves need a medium to propagate themselves. The best example for a mechanical wave would be a water wave as they can only propagate themselves in water. Every time you speak, you produce mechanical waves as sound waves as they propagate through the air as a medium.
e. Matter Waves
These waves depict the nature of all kinds of matter. They waves are quite small as compared to the other kinds of waves. Also, they are produced in the form of particles or electrons. The frequency of these waves depends on the kinetic energy that these waves carry.
There are other kinds of waves too. Some of these have a dual nature. Surface waves possess the characteristics of both mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Elastic waves are the waves produced by an elastic body. In the case of elastic waves, the particles tend to come back to their original position.
1. What are waves in physics?
Waves are patterns that tend to move without the actual flow of energy from point A to B. Waves are usually called patterns of disturbances.
2. What are waves and types of waves?
Waves are a medium through which the energy is transported without the actual matter being moved. It can also be called a disturbance that passes through a medium. It transports energy from one location or points to the other point.
Some common types of waves are as follows:
a. Transverse Waves
b. Longitudinal Waves
c. Electromagnetic Waves
d. Mechanical Waves
e. Matter Waves
f. Electromagnetic Waves
3. What are the properties of waves?
Some of the major properties of waves include:
a. Amplitude
b. Wavelength
c. Period
d. Frequency
e. Speed
You will find that these properties are interrelated too.
4. What are the 10 types of waves?
The 10 types of waves are:
a. Electromagnetic waves
b. Gravitational waves
c. Quantum Mechanical waves
d. Mechanical waves
e. Transverse waves
f. Longitudinal waves
g. Transverse waves
h. Matter waves
i. Sine waves
Understanding the concept and the types of waves is vital to understand the nuances of Physics and its topics. A lot of other concepts are also dependent on the concept of waves. MSVgo app is a helpful platform that teaches concepts via videos on waves and its associated concepts. You can check out the app to further your understanding about any topic you want to pursue.
