Waves

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  • March 10, 2024
10th Physics General Waves Properties Waves

Waves

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Waves are a fundamental concept in physics that describe the transfer of energy and information through a medium or space

Formation of Waves:

Waves are formed when a disturbance or energy input is applied to a medium. This disturbance can be caused by various factors, such as the motion of an object, changes in pressure, or vibrations. Once the initial disturbance occurs, it creates a ripple effect, where neighboring particles of the medium interact with each other, transmitting the disturbance outward in all directions.

These oscillations can be either transverse or longitudinal, depending on the type of wave.

Water Wave in a Ripple Tank:

Many medicines are derived from plants, such as aspirin from willow bark, morphine from poppies, and quinine from cinchona bark.

Drugs from Microorganisms:

A water wave in a ripple tank is a visible pattern formed on the water’s surface when it is disturbed. The tank is a shallow container with water, and an overhead light source shines light onto the water. The resulting light and dark regions on a screen or tank’s bottom allow observation and study of wave properties like wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and wave speed. The ripple tank is a valuable tool for understanding wave behavior in a controlled setting.

Transverse Waves:

Transverse waves are a type of wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction in which the wave is propagating.

Regions of Transverse Waves:

  1. Amplitude: The amplitude of a transverse wave is the maximum displacement or distance that a particle in the medium moves from its equilibrium position.
  2. Crest: The crest is the highest point or peak of a transverse wave.
  3. Trough: It is the point on the wave where the displacement of the particles is maximum in the downward direction from their equilibrium position.

Longitudinal Waves:

Difference Between Electromagnetic Waves and Mechanical Waves:

Electromagnetic Waves Mechanical Waves
Nature of Waves Transverse Oscillating Fields Longitudinal / Transverse Waves
Medium Requirement No Medium Needed Require a Medium
Propagation Can Travel Through Vacuum Need a Physical Medium
Speed Speed of Light in Vacuum Speed Depends on Medium
Interaction Interact with Charged Particles Interact with Medium
Polarization Can be Polarized Polarization Possible (Transverse)
Examples Radio Waves, Light, X-rays Sound, Water, Seismic Waves


Longitudinal waves are a type of wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction in which the wave is propagating.

Regions of Longitudinal Waves:

  1. Compression: A compression is a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are close together, resulting in a high-pressure area. It corresponds to the regions of maximum particle density.
  1. Rarefaction: A rarefaction is a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are spread out, resulting in a low-pressure area. It corresponds to the regions of minimum particle density.

Quiz

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