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Waves Summary

All vibrating and oscillating bodies are described by the length of time required for one complete cycle.

Time period (T) is the reciprocal of frequency (f).

Vibrations and oscillations are also characterised by terms like amplitude of vibrations which is actually the maximum distance the object spans, from its equilibrium point.

We have also seen that all vibrating/oscillating systems have a distinctive set of natural frequencies. A simple vibrating system has only one natural frequency (namely pendulum), whereas complex vibrating systems may have more than one natural frequency.

When a vibrating system is excited at its natural frequency, it “resonates” and its amplitude increases.

We have also learnt that waves are nothing but vibrations which move through a medium. Recollect that it is the wave (energy) that is moving through the medium, but not the medium itself.

When transverse waves are in motion through a medium, the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation of energy.

When longitudinal waves are propagating through a medium, the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave.

Another important aspect of the waves is that they do not go straight through openings or around barriers, but they spread out.

So, when waves move through a medium, no material is transported from one location to another. So, it is the disturbance that moves.

When two waves pass through the same region at the same instant of time, the individual disturbances add up together algebraically after which, each wave retains its own identity.