Home | | Physics | Equation of a plane progressive wave

Chapter: 11th 12th std standard Class Physics sciense Higher secondary school College Notes

Equation of a plane progressive wave

Equation of a plane progressive wave
An equation can be formed to represent generally the displacement of a vibrating particle in a medium through which a wave passes. Thus each particle of a progressive wave executes simple harmonic motion of the same period and amplitude differing in phase from each other.

 

Progressive wave

 

A progressive wave is defined as the onward transmission of the vibratory motion of a body in an elastic medium from one particle to the successive particle.

 

Equation of a plane progressive wave

 

An equation can be formed to represent generally the displacement of a vibrating particle in a medium through which a wave passes. Thus each particle of a progressive wave executes simple harmonic motion of the same period and amplitude differing in phase from each other.

 

Let us assume that a progressive wave travels from the origin O along the positive direction of X axis, from left to right (Fig. 7.6). The displacement of a particle at a given instant is

y = a sin ωt ... (1)

 where a is the amplitude of the vibration of the particle and ω = 2πn.

 

 

The displacement of the particle P at a distance x from O at a given instant is given by,

y = a sin (ωt - φ)  ?.(2)

If the two particles are separated by a distance λ, they will differ by a phase of 2π. Therefore, the phase φ of the particle P at a distance

x is φ = 2π/λ  .  x

y = a sin (ωt - 2πx/ λ)

Since ω = 2πn = 2π v / λ, the equation is given by

y = a sin(2πt/ λ - 2πx/ λ)

y = a sin( 2π/ λ .(vt-x) )   ???..(4)

 

Since ω = 2π/ T , the eqn. (3) can also be written as

y = a sin 2π (t/T ? x/ λ)

 

If the wave travels in opposite direction, the equation becomes.

 y = a sin 2π(t/T + x/ λ)   ???(6)

 

(i) Variation of phase with time

 

The phase changes continuously with time at a constant distance.

 

At a given distance x from O let φ and φ2 be the phase of a particle at time t1 and t2 respectively.

φ1 = 2π(t1/T ? x/ λ)

φ2 = 2π(t2/T ? x/ λ)

 

 

φ2 - φ1 = 2π(t2/T  - t1/T)

 

∆φ = 2π /T ∆t

This is the phase change ∆φ of a particle in time interval t. If t = T, ∆φ = 2π. This shows that after a time period T, the phase of a particle becomes the same.

 

(ii) Variation of phase with distance

 

At a given time t phase changes periodically with distance x. Let φ1 and φ 2 be the phase of two particles at distance x1 and x2 respectively from the origin at a time t.

φ1 = 2π(t/T ? x1/ λ)

φ2 = 2π(t/T ? x2/ λ)

 

 

φ2 - φ1 = 2π/ λ  (x2 - x1)

 

∆φ = 2π / λ ∆t

 

The negative sign indicates that the forward points lag in phase when the wave travels from left to right.

 

When x = λ, ∆φ = 2π, the phase difference between two particles having a path difference λ is 2π.


Study Material, Lecturing Notes, Assignment, Reference, Wiki description explanation, brief detail
11th 12th std standard Class Physics sciense Higher secondary school College Notes : Equation of a plane progressive wave |


Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant

Copyright © 2018-2023 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.