Production and Propagation of Waves

Contents / notes

• Wave motion.
• Vibrating systems as sources of waves.
• Waves as a mode of energy transfer.
• Distinction between particle motion and wave motion.
• Relationship between frequency, wavelength and wave velocity: v = fλ.
• Phase difference, wave number and wave vector.
• Progressive wave equation.

Candidate objectives

• Interpret wave motion.
• Identify vibrating systems as sources of waves.
• Explain waves as a mode of energy transfer.
• Distinguish between particle motion and wave motion.
• Relate frequency and wavelength to wave velocity.
• Determine phase difference, wave number and wave vector.
• Use the progressive wave equation to compute basic wave parameters.
• Work with examples involving wave equations.