WAVE MOTION

Wave motion is a kind of disturbance which travels through a

medium due to repeated vibrations of the particles of the of the
medium about their mean positions, the disturbance being handed
over from one particle to neighbouring particles continuously.

Ball dropped in in water

Ripples
 Characteristics of wave motion

1. Particles of medium vibrate at their own places. Matter

(particles ) are not transported from one point to other.
2. Energy and momenta are transported from one place to
other.
3. The wave velocity is constant in a medium while particle
velocity changes periodically.
displacement

Displacement
Mean
 TYPES OF WAVES
MECHANICAL WAVES: The waves which require material medium
for propagation are called mechanical waves.
Ex. Ripples on the surface of water, sound waves etc.

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES: The waves which do not require

material medium for propagation are called electromagnetic waves.
Ex. visible light, infrared light, microwave, X rays etc.
Essential properties of media for propagation of mechanical waves
1. ELASTICITY: The medium must be
elastic so that the particles return to their
mean positions after being disturbed.
2. INERTIA: The medium must have
inertia (mass) so that its particles
can store energy and have momenta.
3. LOW FRICTION: The medium must have low friction so that
the particles continue to vibrate for longer time.
 TYPES OF MECHANICAL WAVES
TRANSVERSE WAVES: in these propagation
waves, particles of medium of wave

displacement
oscillate perpendicular to the
direction of propagation of wave. Mean
They can travel in solids and on
the surface of liquids. Ex. Ripples
on the surface of water, wave in rarefaction
Sitar string or membrane of a
drum

LONGITUDINAL WAVES: in these

waves, particles of medium compression
oscillate along the direction of
propagation of wave.
Ex. Sound wave. They can travel
in all the media i.e. solids, propagation
liquids and gases. of wave
rarefaction
 DEFINITIONS FOR TRANSVERSE WAVE

Amplitude (a): It is the crest

maximum displacement of 𝝀 propagation of wave
the particles of medium

displacement
a
from their mean positions.
The point of max upward Mean
a
displacement is called crest 𝝀
𝝀
and the point of max
trough
downward displacement is
called trough.
Time Period (T): It is the Wave Length (𝝀): It is the distance
time taken by the particles covered by the wave in one time
of medium to complete on period. OR
vibration. Distance between successive crests
or troughs.
Frequency (𝝂): It is the
OR
number of vibrations per
Distance after which wave pattern is
second done by the particles
repeated.
of medium.
 DEFINITIONS FOR LONGITUDINAL WAVE
Compression & Rarefaction: rarefaction
The region of maximum
density is called compression
and the region of minimum
density is called rarefaction.
compression
Time Period (T): It is the time 𝝀
taken by the particles of
medium to complete on
vibration.
𝝀 Propagation
Frequency (𝝂): It is the
of wave
number of vibrations per rarefaction
second done by the particles
of medium.

Wave Length (𝝀): It is the distance between successive compressions

or rarefactions. OR
Distance after which wave pattern is repeated.
RELATION BETWEEN WAVE VELOCITY,
FREQUENCY AND WAVE LENGTH
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅
𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏

In one time period T, distance covered= 𝝀

𝝀
𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒗=
𝑻
1
𝒗 = 𝝀 = 𝝀𝝂
𝑻

𝒗 = 𝝂𝝀
 EQUATION OF A PLANE PROGRESSIVE WAVE
In plane progressive wave, the particles of medium execute
simple harmonic motion at their own places.
For a wave starting at the
Y
origin, the oscillations of (𝒙, 𝒚)
successive particles will lag in 𝒚
phase. Equation of SHM of O
the particle at the origin, 𝒙 X
𝒚 = 𝒂 sin 𝝎𝒕……..(1)
Eqn of a particle at distance 𝒙, 𝝀
𝒚 = 𝒂 sin(𝝎𝒕 − 𝝓)…..(2)
The phase diff between points 𝝀 𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)….(4)
distance apart is 𝟐𝝅. 𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝝅
So the phase diff for distance 𝒙, 𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏( 𝒕 − 𝒙)
𝑻 𝝀
𝟐𝝅 𝒕 𝒙
𝝓 = 𝒙, so from eqn 2, 𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝝅( − )…..(5)
𝝀 𝑻 𝝀
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 −
𝟐𝝅
𝒙), 𝟐𝝅 𝝀𝒕
𝝀 𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 ( − 𝒙)
𝟐𝝅 𝝀 𝑻
= 𝒌(𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒐. ) 𝟐𝝅
𝝀 𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝒗𝒕 − 𝒙)…….(6)
𝝀
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)……(3)
 EQUATION OF A PLANE PROGRESSIVE WAVE
Plane progressive wave travelling along +𝑿,

𝒀
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)….(1)
𝒕 𝒙
𝑶
𝑿
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝝅( − )…..(2)
𝑻 𝝀
𝟐𝝅
𝒚= 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝒗𝒕 − 𝒙)…….(3)
𝝀

Plane progressive wave travelling along −𝑿,

𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙)….(1)
𝒀 𝒕 𝒙
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝝅( + )…..(2)
𝑻 𝝀
𝟐𝝅
𝑶 𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 (𝒗𝒕 + 𝒙)…….(3)
𝝀
−𝑿
If the initial phase is 𝝓𝟎 , general
equation of progressive wave,
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 ± 𝒌𝒙 ± 𝝓𝟎 )
 PHASE OF A HARMONIC WAVE
Phase describes the state of vibration (position, velocity,
direction etc) of a particle of medium in wave motion. It is given
by the argument of sine or cosine function of equation of wave.
For, 𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 ± 𝒌𝒙 ± 𝝓𝟎 ), Phase 𝝓 = 𝝎𝒕 ± 𝒌𝒙 ± 𝝓𝟎
𝒀
PHASE CHANGE WITH POSITION:
𝑻 𝟐𝑻
Phase change with distance 𝝀 𝑶
𝟐𝝅 𝟒𝝅 𝑿
is 𝟐𝝅, so with distance 𝒙,
𝟐𝝅 𝝀
phase diff ∆𝝓 = 𝒙
𝝀
PHASE CHANGE WITH TIME: Phase change in time 𝑻 is 𝟐𝝅,
𝟐𝝅
so in time 𝒕, phase diff ∆𝝓 = 𝒕
𝑻

VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION OF PARTICLE IN WAVE

Velocity and acceleration execute SHM with the frequency
of the particle 𝐯 = 𝝎 𝒂𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 , Acceleration 𝑨 = −𝝎𝟐 𝒚
VELOCITY OF WAVE IS CONSTANT.
Q. A Simple harmonic wave is described by
𝝅 𝝅
𝒚 = 𝟕𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝟖𝟎𝟎𝝅𝒕 − 𝒙 − ) where x and y are in cm
𝟒𝟐.𝟓 𝟒
and t in second. Calculate (a) amplitude (b) frequency, time
period (c ) initial phase (d) wavelength (e) phase diff between
particles separated by 17.0 cm (f) phase diff of a particle after T/5.
(g) direction of motion of wave (h) wave velocity.
Comparing it with standard equation,𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 ± 𝒌𝒙 ± 𝝓𝟎 )
(a) Amplitude 𝒂 = 𝟕𝑿𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝒄𝒎
𝟏 𝟏
(b) 𝝎 = 𝟖𝟎𝟎𝝅 = 𝟐𝝅𝝂 , 𝝂 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝑯𝒛, 𝐓 = = 𝒔
𝝂 𝟒𝟎𝟎
𝝅
(c )Initial phase 𝝓𝟎 = −
𝟒
𝝅 𝟐𝝅
(d) 𝒌 = = , 𝝀 = 𝟐𝑿𝟒𝟐. 𝟓 = 𝟖𝟓 𝒄𝒎
𝟒𝟐.𝟓 𝝀
𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝝅
(e)phase diff ∆𝝓 = 𝒙 = 𝑿𝟏𝟕 = 𝒓𝒂𝒅
𝝀 𝟖𝟓 𝟓
𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝝅 𝑻 𝟐𝝅
(f) phase diff ∆𝝓 = 𝒕= = 𝒓𝒂𝒅
𝑻 𝑻 𝟓 𝟓
(g) The wave is propagating along +X axis.
𝒄𝒎
(h) Wave velocity 𝐯 = 𝝂𝝀 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝑿𝟖𝟓 = 𝟑𝟒𝟎 𝒎 𝒔−𝟏
𝒔
 REFLECTION OF HARMONIC WAVES
FROM FIXED END: When a pulse incident pulse
reaches a rigid end, it applies force on
it in upward direction. According to
the law of action and reaction, the
fixed end applies force in opposite
direction. So the pulse returns in
opposite phase.

Fixed end

−𝑿 +𝑿

Equation of incident wave,

𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)
Equation of reflected wave,
Reflected pulse
𝒚 = −𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙)
 REFLECTION OF HARMONIC WAVES
incident pulse
FROM FREE END: When a pulse
reaches a free end, it applies force on
it in upward direction so the free
loop is also pulled upwards. So the
pulse returns in same phase.

Free end

−𝑿 +𝑿

Equation of incident wave,

𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)
Equation of reflected wave, Reflected pulse
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙)
 SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE
When two or more waves travel simultaneously in a medium,
the displacement of a particle of the medium is given by the
vector sum of its displacements due to each of the waves.
𝒚 = 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒚𝟑 … … …
STATIONARY OR STANDING WAVES
When two identical waves travel along the same path in opposite
directions, they superpose to form a wave which does not propagate in
any direction. Such a wave is called stationary or standing wave.

The points which do not suffer

displacement are called Nodes(N)
and the points which suffer
maximum displacement are called
A Antinodes(A).
N N
N N
A A
 CHARACTERISTICS OF STATIONARY WAVES

1. All the particles execute SHM at

their own places with the frequency
of the wave(except at nodes).
2. All the particle pass through their
mean positions simultaneously. A A
3. KE energy of particles at nodes N N
N N
remains zero.
4. KE of particles at antinodes is A
𝝀
maximum when they pass through
mean positions. 8. Distance between successive
5. Every particle has a fixed amplitude nodes/antinodes is 𝝀/𝟐 .
which is different from that of its 9. All the particles in the same
neighbouring particles. segment are in same phase of
6. Energy is not transported. oscillation and in opposite
7. Pressure at the nodes is maximum, phase with that in neighbouring
and at antinodes minimum. segment.
 STANDING WAVE IN A STRING (Transverse)
Let the incident wave is traveling along +X
axis and getting reflected at the fixed end.
Equation of incident wave along +X axis,
𝒚𝟏 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)
Equation of reflected wave along –X axis,
𝒚𝟐 = −𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙)(from rigid end) A A
N N
Applying superposition principle, the N N
resulting wave, 𝒚 = 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒚𝟐
A
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙) − 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙)
𝒚 = 𝒂[𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝒕 cos 𝒌𝒙 − cos 𝝎𝒕 sin 𝒌𝒙 − 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝒕 cos 𝒌𝒙 − cos 𝝎𝒕 sin 𝒌𝒙]
𝒚 = − 𝟐𝒂 cos 𝝎𝒕 sin 𝒌𝒙
𝒚 = (− 𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙)cos 𝝎𝒕
𝒚 = 𝑨 cos 𝝎𝒕
As this equation does not contain terms like (𝝎𝒕 ± 𝒌𝒙) or (𝒗𝒕 ± 𝒙), it is
not representing a travelling wave.
Amplitude of standing wave is 𝐀 = −𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙
 STANDING WAVE IN A STRING (Transverse)
A
Eq of standing wave, 𝟐𝒂
𝒚 = (−𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙)cos 𝝎𝒕 N N
Amplitude of wave is 𝐀 = −𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙,
Max amplitude 𝑨𝒎 = 𝟐𝒂 𝒙=𝟎 𝒙=𝑳

At 𝒙 = 𝟎, 𝐀 = −𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙 = 𝟎 (node) 𝑳 = 𝝀𝟏 /𝟐

At 𝒙 = 𝑳, 𝐀 = −𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙 = 𝟎 (node)
sin 𝒌𝒙 = 𝟎, 𝒌𝒙 = 𝒏𝝅 (𝒏 = 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, … )
𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝑳
𝑳 = 𝒏𝝅, 𝝀𝒏 = ……..(1)
𝝀 𝒏
For Fundamental note or first harmonic:
𝒗 𝒗 𝑳 = 𝝀𝟐
𝒏 = 𝟏, 𝝀𝟏 = 𝟐𝑳, freq 𝝂𝟏 = =
𝝀𝟏 𝟐𝑳
For 2nd, 3rd , harmonics,
𝒗 𝟐𝒗 𝒗 𝟑𝒗
𝝂𝟐 = = , 𝝂𝟑 = =
𝝀𝟐 𝟐𝑳 𝝀𝟑 𝟐𝑳
𝝂𝟏 : 𝝂𝟐 : 𝝂𝟑 = 𝟏: 𝟐: 𝟑
Velocity of transverse wave in a string, 𝑳 = 𝟑𝝀𝟑 /𝟐
𝑻 Fundamental note/ first harmonic
𝒗= where T is tension and 𝝁 is mass
𝝁
𝟏 𝑻
per unit length of string. 𝝂=
𝟐𝑳 𝝁
Q. A wire emits a fundamental note of 256 Hz. Keeping
the stretching force constant and reducing the length of
wire by 10 cm, the frequency becomes 320 Hz. Calculate
the original length of the wire.

Fundamental note/ first harmonic

𝟏 𝑻
𝝂= Where T is tension in the string and 𝝁 is mass per unit
𝟐𝑳 𝝁
length of the wire.
𝟏 𝑻 𝟏 𝑻
𝟐𝟓𝟔 = ……(1), 𝟑𝟐𝟎 = ………(2)
𝟐𝑳 𝝁 𝟐(𝑳−𝟏𝟎) 𝝁

Divide Eq. (1) by (2).

𝟐𝟓𝟔 𝟏/𝟐𝑳 (𝑳 − 𝟏𝟎)

= =
𝟑𝟐𝟎 𝟏/𝟐(𝑳 − 𝟏𝟎) 𝑳

(𝑳−𝟏𝟎) 𝟒
= , 𝑳 = 𝟓𝟎 𝒄𝒎
𝑳 𝟓
 STANDING WAVES IN ORGAN PIPES (Longitudinal)
Incident
IN OPEN ORGAN PIPE: Y
wave
Let the incident wave is travelling along
+X axis,𝒚𝟏 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)……(1)
It is reflected from open end and returns O X
in same phase,
Reflected
𝒚𝟐 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙)….(2) 𝒙=𝟎 𝒙 = 𝑳 wave
Applying superposition principle, the L
resulting wave, 𝒚 = 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒚𝟐

𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙 + 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙)

𝒚 = 𝒂[𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝒕 cos 𝒌𝒙 − cos 𝝎𝒕 sin 𝒌𝒙 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝒕 cos 𝒌𝒙 + cos 𝝎𝒕 sin 𝒌𝒙]
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒂 sin 𝝎𝒕 cos 𝒌𝒙
𝒚 = (𝟐𝒂 cos 𝒌𝒙)sin 𝝎𝒕
𝒚 = 𝑨 sin 𝝎𝒕
As this equation does not contain terms like (𝝎𝒕 ± 𝒌𝒙) or (𝒗𝒕 ± 𝒙), it is
not representing a travelling wave.
Amplitude of standing wave is 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 cos 𝒌𝒙
 STANDING WAVES IN ORGAN PIPES (Longitudinal)
Eq of standing wave, Y
𝒚 = (𝟐𝒂 cos 𝒌𝒙)sin 𝝎𝒕 A N A
Amplitude of wave is 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 cos 𝒌𝒙, O X
Max amplitude 𝑨𝒎 = 𝟐𝒂
𝒙=𝟎 𝒙=𝑳
At 𝒙 = 𝟎, 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 (antinode)
At 𝒙 = 𝑳, 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 (antinode) 𝑳 = 𝝀𝟏 /𝟐
cos 𝒌𝒙 = ±𝟏, 𝒌𝒙 = 𝒏𝝅
Y
(𝒏 = 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, … ) N N
𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝑳 A A
𝑳 = 𝒏𝝅, 𝝀𝒏 = ……..(1) O X
𝝀 𝒏
For Fundamental note or first
harmonic: 𝑳 = 𝝀𝟐
𝒗 𝒗
𝒏 = 𝟏, 𝝀𝟏 = 𝟐𝑳, freq 𝝂𝟏 = =
𝝀𝟏 𝟐𝑳 Velocity of sound wave in a gas,
For2nd, 3rd
, harmonics,
𝜸𝑷
𝒗 𝟐𝒗 𝒗 𝟑𝒗 𝒗= where 𝑷 is pressure,
𝝂𝟐 = = , 𝝂𝟑 = = 𝝆
𝝀𝟐 𝟐𝑳 𝝀𝟑 𝟐𝑳
𝑪𝑷
𝝂𝟏 : 𝝂𝟐 : 𝝂𝟑 = 𝟏: 𝟐: 𝟑 𝜸= and 𝝆 is density of gas.
𝑪𝑽
 STANDING WAVES IN ORGAN PIPES (Longitudinal)
Incident
IN ORGAN PIPE CLOSED AT ONE END: Y A
wave
Let the incident wave is travelling along -X
axis,𝒚𝟏 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙)……(1) N 𝟐𝒂
It is reflected from closed end and returns O X
in opposite phase, Reflected
𝒚𝟐 = −𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)….(2) 𝒙=𝟎 𝒙 = 𝑳 wave
Applying superposition principle, the
resulting wave, 𝒚 = 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒚𝟐 𝑳 = 𝝀/𝟒

𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝒌𝒙) − 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝒌𝒙)

𝒚 = 𝒂[𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝒕 cos 𝒌𝒙 + cos 𝝎𝒕 sin 𝒌𝒙 − 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝒕 cos 𝒌𝒙 + cos 𝝎𝒕 sin 𝒌𝒙]
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒂 cos 𝝎𝒕 sin 𝒌𝒙
𝒚 = (𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙)cos 𝝎𝒕
𝒚 = 𝑨 cos 𝝎𝒕
As this equation does not contain terms like (𝝎𝒕 ± 𝒌𝒙) or (𝒗𝒕 ± 𝒙), it is
not representing a travelling wave.
Amplitude of standing wave is 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙
 STANDING WAVES IN ORGAN PIPE CLOSED AT ONE END
Eq of standing wave, A
Y
𝒚 = (𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙)cos 𝝎𝒕
Amplitude of wave is 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙, N 𝟐𝒂
Max amplitude 𝑨𝒎 = 𝟐𝒂 O X

At 𝒙 = 𝟎, 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙 = 𝟎 (node)
𝒙=𝟎 𝒙=𝑳
At 𝒙 = 𝑳,
𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 sin 𝒌𝒙 = 𝟐𝒂 (antinode) 𝑳 = 𝝀/𝟒
𝟐𝒏−𝟏 𝝅
sin 𝒌𝒙 = ±𝟏, 𝒌𝒙 = (𝒏 =
𝟐
Y A
𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, … )
𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝒏−𝟏 𝝅 𝟒𝑳
𝑳 = , 𝝀𝒏 = ……..(1) N 𝟐𝒂
𝝀 𝟐 𝟐𝒏−𝟏
For Fundamental note or first harmonic: O X
𝒗 𝒗
𝒏 = 𝟏, 𝝀𝟏 = 𝟒𝑳, freq 𝝂𝟏 = =
𝝀𝟏 𝟒𝑳
For 2nd, 3rd , harmonics, 𝒙=𝟎 𝒙=𝑳
𝒗 𝟑𝒗 𝒗 𝟓𝒗
𝝂𝟐 = = , 𝝂𝟑 = = 𝑳 = 𝟑𝝀/𝟒
𝝀𝟐 𝟒𝑳 𝝀𝟑 𝟒𝑳
𝝂𝟏 : 𝝂𝟐 : 𝝂𝟑 = 𝟏: 𝟑: 𝟓
 Q. Find the fundamental frequency of a 50 cm long organ
pipe,
(a) open at both ends (b) closed at one end
(speed of sound wave is 340 m/s)

(a) 𝑳 = 𝟓𝟎 𝒄𝒎 , 𝒗 = 𝟑𝟒𝟎 𝒎 𝒔−𝟏

𝑳 = 𝝀/𝟐
𝝀 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒎 = 𝟏 𝒎
𝒗
𝝂 = = 𝟑𝟒𝟎 𝑯𝒛
𝝀 𝑳 = 𝝀/𝟐

A
(b) 𝑳 = 𝟓𝟎 𝒄𝒎 , 𝒗 = 𝟑𝟒𝟎 𝒎 𝒔−𝟏
𝑳 = 𝝀/𝟒 N 𝟐𝒂
𝝀 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒎 = 𝟐 𝒎 O X
𝒗
𝝂 = = 𝟏𝟕𝟎 𝑯𝒛
𝝀
𝑳 = 𝝀/𝟒
 BEATS
When two waves with very small difference in frequencies
(𝚫𝝂 < 𝟏𝟎), travel in a medium simultaneously, the intensity at
a point in the medium becomes maximum and minimum
(waxes and wanes) alternately. Theses are called beats.

𝝂𝟏

𝝂𝟐
 BEATS

Let the displacement of a particle of medium due to the

waves are 𝒚𝟏 and 𝒚𝟐 . So equations of SHM of the particle
due to the waves,
𝒚𝟏 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝟏 𝒕 , 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝟐 𝒕, Using superposition
principle, the net displacement of the particle,
𝒚 = 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝟏 𝒕 + 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝝎𝟐 𝒕
(𝝎𝟏 𝒕 + 𝝎𝟐 𝒕) (𝝎𝟏 𝒕 − 𝝎𝟐 𝒕)
𝒚 = 𝒂(𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏 cos )
𝟐 𝟐
𝟐𝝅(𝝂𝟏 +𝝂𝟐 )𝒕 𝟐𝝅(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 )𝒕
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏 cos , ( 𝝎 = 𝟐𝝅𝝂 )
𝟐 𝟐
𝝂 +𝝂𝟐
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐𝝅𝝂𝒕 cos 𝝅(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 )𝒕 , ( av. Freq. 𝝂 = 𝟏 )
𝟐
𝒚 = [𝟐𝒂 cos 𝝅(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 )𝒕] 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐𝝅𝝂𝒕
𝒚 = 𝑨 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐𝝅𝝂𝒕 ……(1)
Amplitude of the particle 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 cos 𝝅(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 )𝒕
 Amplitude of the particle 𝐀 = 𝟐𝒂 cos 𝝅(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 )𝒕
For maxima: cos 𝝅(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 )𝒕 = ±𝟏 = cos 𝑛𝝅 (n=1,2,3,…..)
𝒏
So at time, 𝒕 =
𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐
𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
𝒕= , , ,…………
𝝂𝟏 − 𝝂𝟐 𝝂𝟏 − 𝝂𝟐 𝝂𝟏 − 𝝂𝟐
𝟏
Time between successive maxima 𝐓 =
𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐

For minima: cos 𝝅(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 )𝒕 = 𝟎 = cos 2𝑛 − 1 𝝅/𝟐 (n=1,2,3,…..)

𝟐𝒏−𝟏
So at time, 𝒕 =
𝟐(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 )
𝟏 𝟑 𝟓
𝒕= , , ,…………
𝟐(𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐 ) 𝟐(𝝂𝟏 − 𝝂𝟐 ) 𝟐(𝝂𝟏 − 𝝂𝟐 )
𝟏
Time between successive minima 𝐓 =
𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐
One maximum and one minimum make one beat.
𝟏
So time period of beats, 𝐓 = , Beat frequency, 𝐟 = 𝝂𝟏 − 𝝂𝟐
𝝂𝟏 −𝝂𝟐
𝟏
The persistence of ear is 𝒔. So the beats can be heard
𝟏𝟎
distinctly only when 𝝂𝟏 − 𝝂𝟐 < 𝟏𝟎.
TUNING FORK: When lightly hit on rubber pad a tuning fork
vibrates with its fixed natural frequency.
Loading of tuning fork: when a little wax is attached to the prongs of
a tuning fork, its mass increases. So its frequency decreases.
Filing of tuning fork: when the prongs of a tuning fork are filed by
using a sand paper, its mass decreases. So its frequency increases.

Beat frequency =2

Beat method is used for tuning of musical instruments.

 VELOCITY OF SOUND WAVE
Velocity of sound wave in a gas,
𝜸𝑷 𝑪𝑷
𝒗= where 𝑷 is pressure, 𝜸 = and 𝝆 is density of gas.
𝝆 𝑪𝑽

𝜸𝑷 𝜸𝑹𝑻/𝑽 𝜸𝑹𝑻
𝒗= = =
𝝆 𝑴/𝑽 𝑴

1.No effect of pressure on velocity of sound in gas.

2. 𝒗 ∝ 𝑻, with increase in temp , velocity of sound increases.
𝟏
3. 𝒗 ∝ , with increase in molecular mass of gas, velocity of
𝑴
sound deceases.
𝟏
4. 𝒗 ∝ , with increase in density of gas, velocity of sound
𝝆
decreases.
5. With increase in humidity in air, velocity of sound increases.
Q. A two tuning fork arrangement gives 4 beats/second, with one of
them having frequency of 288 Hz. A little of wax is places on the
unknown fork which reduces the beats to 2. Find the frequency of the
unknown fork.
𝟐𝟗𝟐 𝑯𝒛
Ans. Beat frequency, 𝐟 = 𝝂𝟏 − 𝝂𝟐 4 beats
2 beats
Beat frequency, 𝐟 = 𝟒 , 𝟐𝟖𝟖 𝑯𝒛
𝝂𝟏 = 𝟐𝟖𝟖 𝑯𝒛 ,
4 beats
𝝂𝟐 = 𝝂𝟏 ± 𝟒 = 𝟐𝟗𝟐 𝑯𝒛 𝒐𝒓 𝟐𝟖𝟒 𝑯𝒛 6 beats
𝟐𝟖𝟒 𝑯𝒛
On loading the fork, its frequency
decreases. In this case the beats are
decreasing. So the frequency of the
second fork is 𝟐𝟗𝟐 𝑯𝒛 .