Wave

Wave

A wave is a disturbance which propagates energy from one place to the other without the transport of matter.

Waves are broadly of two types :
1. Mechanical Wave
2. Non-mechanical wave

Mechanical Wave

The waves which require material medium (solid/ liquid or gas) for their propagation are called mechanical wave or elastic wave.

Mechanical waves are of two types :
I. Longitudinal wave
II. Transverse Wave

Longitudinal wave

If the particles of the medium vibrate in the direction of propagation of wave, the wave is called longitudinal wave.
Waves on springs or sound waves in air are the examples of longitudinal wave.

Transverse Wave

If the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation of wave, the wave is called transverse wave
Waves on strings under tension, waves on the surface of water are example of transverse waves.

mechanical waves or electromagnetic waves

The waves which do not require medium for their propagation i.e. which can propagate even through the vacuum are called non mechanical wave.
Light and heat are the examples of non-mechanical wave. In fact all the electromagnetic waves are non-mechanical.
All the electromagnetic wave consists of photon.
The wavelength range of electromagnetic wave is 10^-14 m to 10⁴ m.

Properties of electromagnetic waves

1. They are neutral (uncharged).
2. They propagate as transverse wave.
3. They propagate with the velocity of light.
4. They contains energy and momentum.
5. Their concept was introduced by Maxwell.

Phase of vibration

Phase of vibration of a vibrating particle at any instant is the physical quantity which express the position as well as direction of motion of the particle at that instant with respect to its equilibrium (mean) position.

Amplitude

Amplitude is defined as the maximum displacement of the vibrating particle on either side from the equilibrium position.

Wavelength

Wavelength is the distance between any two nearest particle of he medium, vibrating in the same phase. It is denoted by the Greek letter lembda.
In transverse wave distance between two consecutive crests or troughs and in longitudinal wave, distance between two consecutive compressions or rarefactions equal to wavelength.

Relation between wavelength, frequency and velocity of wave

Velocity of wave = frequency x wavelength