Physics Half-Yearly Notes By Dillon Halder

The World Communicates

Energy transformations within mobile phones
There are numerous processes and transformations involved with energy. A mobile phone
in particular changes sound waves to electrical waves which is then modified into
electromagnetic waves by the microphone of the mobile phone and is converted back to
electrical and lastly is changed back into sound waves into the receiving persons mobile
phone.





Waves in different dimensions
An example of a one dimensional wave is the motion of a transverse or longitudinal wave in
a slinky. The energy in the wave only has one dimension to travel in.
An example of a two dimensional wave is the transverse wave travelling from a point
source in still water.
An example of a three dimensional wave can be considered as the point source of sound, as
the sound waves goes off in three different dimensions. A laser is also another example of a
three dimensional wave.

Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves
Waves are defined as being the carriers of energy. These types of waves can be categorised
as mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
Mechanical waves are types of waves which require a medium for the energy to propagate
through the wave.
Electromagnetic waves are able to propagate through near vacuum spaces which do not
require a medium. Therefore they have a capability of greater travel ranges which is
beneficial for long distance communication. For example; you can see a planet exploding,
however you cannot hear it/ nobody can hear you scream in space.
Sound
Waves
Electrical
Waves
Electromagnetic
Waves

Electrical
Waves
Sound Waves
- In transverse waves, the motion of the particles is described to be perpendicular to
the direction of the wave.
- In longitudinal waves, the motion of the particles however is described to be
parallel to the direction of the wave.

Definitions:
Transverse: Motion of particles perpendicular to propagation direction.
Longitudinal: Motion of particles parallel to propagation direction.
Medium: Substance in which waves propagate through.
Crest: The highest point of a transverse wave.
Trough: The lowest point of a transverse wave.
Wavefront: The crest or trough of a transverse wave, perpendicular to the direction of the
waves velocity.
Phase- 2 points on the wave are in phase if they have the same displacement at an instant.
Compression: Particles bunching up in longitudinal waves.
Rarefaction: Particles further spread apart in longitudinal waves.
Amplitude: The maximum displacement from the rest position to the crest or the trough of
a wave.
Wavelength: Distance of two adjacent troughs or crests.
Frequency: Number of waves to pass a point in one second. Unit for frequency is Hertz.
Formula to calculate frequency: F = 1/t
Period: The time taken for one wave to pass a point.
Velocity: How fast wave is propagating. Denoted as symbol v

Terms Units
Velocity ms
-1
Period s
Frequency Hz
Wavelength cm


Transverse Waves
A transverse wave refers to when the particle motion is perpendicular to the propagation
direction. Electromagnetic waves are examples of transverse waves because the alternating
electric and magnetic fields oscillate 90 degrees perpendicular to the direction of energy
propagation. Transverse waves have crest and troughs as well.
Longitudinal Waves
There are several examples of longitudinal waves and this includes sound. With sound
waves, it cannot be seen but the vibration of the wave can be felt from the speaker. Also a
slinky can be considered to be a longitudinal wave as it experiences compressions and
rarefactions. Compressions are when the particles are bunched up together and rarefaction
is simply the opposite when particles are further apart from one another. Longitudinal
waves have compressions and rarefactions which shows contrast between the transverse
waves crests and troughs.
Sound Waves
All sound waves are a result of the vibration of the particles within the medium. The origin
of a sound wave in any medium is always a vibration. The higher the pitch of the sound, the
greater the vibration of the object.
Amplitude - With relation to sound waves, the higher the amplitude, the louder the sound.
The pitch of a sound is proportional to its frequency. This means, the higher the pitch of a
sound, the higher the frequency.

Echoes
Echoes are a reflection of the sound waves from a surface. When an echo bounces back
from a surface, the entire sound is not heard but the last part is.

Principle of Superposition
The principle of superposition is the instantaneous displacement of the sum of the two
individual waves giving the resultant displacement. If the amplitude of the crest of one
wave is precisely equal to the amplitude of the other, but the second wave is out of phase
by 180 degrees, then the complete loss of amplitude in the resulting wave can occur ( no
sound produced).

Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium for wave propagation. They travel most
efficiently in a vacuum, e.g space. There are however several properties of electromagnetic
waves:
- Electromagnetic waves pass through a vacuum of space at the speed of light.
- EM waves are produced by alternating electric and magnetic fields which oscillate.
- EM waves are also self propagating because it produces a field which travels
perpendicular and enables them to travel on for billions of years.

Methods of detection of electromagnetic waves
EM Waves Detection
Radio Wave Radio antenna, tuner
Microwaves Mobile phones
Infrared Rays Night-vision goggles, Infra-red detector
Visible Light Photographic film
X-Ray X-Ray scanner, photographic film
Ultra-violet Rays Chemical fluorescence
Gamma Rays Geiger counter

Applications of
Radiation Application Harmful to human/ environment
Radio Wave Sending signals
Microwaves
Infrared Rays
Visible Light
X-Ray
UV rays
Gamma rays
electromagnetic waves