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The Wave

Equation
&
Speed of
Waves
BY: CARYL JANE E.
BEATO
A wave is produced when a
vibrating source periodically
disturbs the first particle of a medium. This
creates a wave pattern that begins to travel
along the medium from particle to particle.
The frequency at which each individual
particle vibrates is equal to the frequency at
which the source vibrates.
Similarly, the period of
vibration of each individual particle in the
medium is equal to the period of vibration
of the source. In one period, the source is
able to displace the first particle upwards
from rest, back to rest, downwards from
rest, and finally back to rest. This
complete back-and-forth movement
constitutes one complete wave cycle.
Some waves do not need matter
(called a “medium”) to be able to move (for
example, through space).

These are called electromagnetic waves (or


EM waves).

Some waves MUST have a medium in order to


move. These are called mechanical waves.
The diagrams at the right
show several "snapshots" of
the production of a wave
within a rope. The motion of
the disturbance along the
medium after every one-
fourth of a period is depicted.
Observe that in the time it
takes from the first to the last
snapshot, the hand has made
one complete back-and-forth
motion.
A period has elapsed.
Observe that during this
same amount of time, the
leading edge of the
disturbance has moved a
distance equal to one
complete wavelength. So in a
time of one period, the wave
has moved a distance of one
wavelength.
EQUATIONS:
The recent equations are known as the wave
equation. It states the mathematical relationship
between the speed (v) of a wave and its wavelength
(λ) and frequency (f). Using the symbols v, λ,
and f, the equation can be rewritten as:
EQUATIONS:

OR V= Fλ

OR F= V
λ

OR λ= V
F
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3:
Wave Properties
Wave properties depend on what
(type of energy) is making the waves.
1.Wavelength: The distance between one
point on a wave and the exact same place on
the next wave.
2. Frequency: How many waves go
past a point in one second; unit of measurement
is hertz (Hz).
The higher the frequency, the more energy in the
wave.
• 10 waves going past in 1 second = 10 Hz
• 1,000 waves go past in 1 second = 1,000 Hz
• 1 million waves going past = 1 million Hz
3. Amplitude: How far the medium
moves from rest position (where it is when
not moving).
Remember that for transverse waves, the highest point is
the crest, and the lowest point is the trough.
Remember that for compressional
waves, the points where the medium is close
together are called compressions and the areas where
the medium is spread apart are called rarefactions.
The closer together and further apart the particles are,
the larger the amplitude.
compression

rarefaction
The energy of a wave is proportional to
the square of its amplitude.
Mathematically speaking . . .
E = CA2
Where:
E = energy (the capacity to do work)
C = a constant (depends on the medium)
A = amplitude
For example:
If the amplitude is equal to 3 units
(and we assume C = 1 for this case) . . .

E = (1) (3)2 = (1) (9) = 9 units


Note that when the amplitude of a wave is
one unit, the energy is one unit.
• When the amplitude is doubled, the
energy is quadrupled.
• When the amplitude is 10 times
Amplitude Energy greater, the energy is 100 times
1 1 greater!
2 4 E = CA2
3 9
4 16
5 25
6 36
7 49
8 64
9 81
10 100
4. Wave speed: Depends on the
medium in which the wave is traveling. It
varies in solids, liquids and gases.

A mathematical way to calculate speed:


(in meters) (in Hz)
wave speed = wavelength x frequency
OR

v=f x ‫ג‬
Sample Problem:
If a wave has a wavelength of 2m
and a frequency of 500 Hz, what is its speed?
Solution:
v=f x ‫ג‬
speed = 2 m x 500 Hz
= 1000 m/s

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