Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(A) Longitudinal waves are created in a spring when the free end is
moved back and forth parallel to the spring. (B) Transverse waves
are created in a spring when the free end is moved up and down.
RMIT University SOET AERO 5821C Apply Basic Scientific Principles 5
Water wave
Water waves are an example of waves that involve a combination of
both longitudinal and transverse motions.
As a wave travels through the waver, the particles travel in
clockwise circles.
The radius of the circles decreases as the depth into the water
increases.
1
f
T
RMIT University SOET AERO 5821C Apply Basic Scientific Principles 10
Wave properties
Amplitude A
The amplitude A of a wave is the maximum displacement of the particles of
the medium through which the wave passes on either side of their equilibrium
positions.
In a transverse wave, the amplitude is half distance between the top of the
crest and the bottom of the trough.
Intensity I
The intensity I of a wave is the rate at which it transports energy per unit
area perpendicular to its direction of the motion.
The intensity of a mechanical wave is proportional to the square of its
frequency f 2 and its amplitude A2 .
Speed of a wave = Wavelength/Period = v
T
I 2 R12
2
I1 R2
2
where I has a unit of W/m
However, the decibel (dB) scale is used for sound intensity.
The intensity of I in dB of a sound wave whose intensity I W/m2
is given as:
I
I dB 10 log where I 0 is 10-12 W/m 2
I0
v vL
f f s
v is the velocity of sound v vs
vL is the velocity of the listener (consider positive for motion toward the
source and negative for motion away from the source)
vs is the velocity of the source (consider positive for motion toward the
listener and negative for motion away from the listener)
1
1 (v / c ) 2
f f s
c is the velocity of light (3108 m/s) 1 (v / c )
v is the velocity between the source and observer (consider positive if they are approaching
and negative if they are receding)
Astronomers use the Doppler effect to determine the motions of stars and police use the
effect in radar waves to determine the vehicle velocity.