Wave and wave phenomena

Learning outcome
Determine frequency of sound from CRO

Determining frequency of sound

A microphone converts _____ into electrical _________. This voltage when fed into a Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (C.R.O) will produce a waveform on the CRO monitor display The amplitude can be found from the vertical grids (Y-sensitivity) while the ______ can be determined from the horizontal grids (time base)

Determining frequency of sound

Wave phenomena
Interference - 2 light waves - 2 sound waves

Diffraction - single slit (qualitative) - multiple slits (calculation)

Formation of standing or stationary waves

Learning outcome
Use principle of superposition to determine displacement of resultant wave at a point of interference State conditions for interference Describe how interference pattern looks like State conditions for clear interference pattern Calculate fringe spacing

interference
Waves interfere with each other when their amplitude or energy is changed

To determine the amplitude of the resultant, we need to use the principle of superposition

P.O.S
Principle of superposition States that when 2 or more waves overlap, the resultant displacement is equal to the sum of the individual displacements at that point.

Whats the resultant amplitude?

Constructive interference
When crest of one wave meets crest from another, The resultant is a maximum amplitude. Maximum energy

Destructive interference
When crest from one wave meets a trough from another, the resultant amplitude is minimum or zero. Minimum energy

3 conditions for interference to happen

This can only happen if A) the waves meet B) the waves are the same type C) both waves are polarised in the same plane or non-polarised

Interference of two light waves

 A series of bright and dark fringes are seen on the screen in front of the slits

 Can you explain the formation of a) bright fringes b) dark fringes ?

- bright fringes formed due to constructive interference of two waves. The two waves are in phase with each other - dark fringes formed due to destructive interference. The two waves are in antiphase (180o)

Fringe spacing
The distance between the successive bright fringes can be calculated from the formula X = D/s where wavelength D distance of screen s slit separation

example
The slit separations is 0.5 mm. the wavelength of red light is 680 nm. The distance of screen is 1.0 m. calculate the fringe spacing (width) Ans: 1.4 mm

example

12 mm

The distance between 7 bright fringes apart is 12 mm. Calculate the wavelength of the light used. Ans: 670 nm

Path difference

 Waves from slit 1 and slit 2 travel the same distance to point O. The waves are in phase with each other at the slits 1 and 2. They will still be in phase with each other at point O. Hence, a ________ interference occurs. ________ amplitude. Bright fringe formed.

 At point P, the waves from slit 1 will have traveled further than waves from slit 2. Suppose the wave from slit 2 traveled one wavelength more than wave from slit 1, the waves arriving there will be in phase with each other. From the triangles, /s = x / D Therefore x = D/s

 If the path difference is 2, then there will be another bright fringe formed further away. Hence, a series of bright fringes are formed at equal interval if path difference = , 2, 3. In between the bright fringes, there are points where the path difference = , 1 ____ fringe will be formed. Why?

example

c) Mark with an X on the photograph the fringe or fringes where light from one slit has traveled a distance of two wavelengths further than the light from the other slit.

Interference pattern
Refers to the series of alternate maxima and minima. Conditions for clear pattern to be observed. The waves from the sources must be i) coherence Ii) have comparable amplitude

Coherence source
- the waves from these sources have the same frequency and constant phase difference

 If one wave is 10 Hz and another is 15 Hz, no clear pattern observed when they overlap If both are 10 Hz and they have a constant phase difference (example 90 o) throughout the experiment, a clear pattern can be observed. If the phase difference changed, say to 60 o or 20 o as time goes by, then no clear pattern can be observed.

 The waves need not to be in phase or antiphase. As long as the phase difference is constant, then the waves are said to be coherent. This ensures that the positions of the bright fringes (maxima) and dark fringes (minima) are fixed on the screen.

Comparable amplitude
If one source is more intense than the other, the amplitudes would not be comparable. Therefore, when destructive interference occurs, the waves do not cancel each other completely. The contrast between the bright and dark fringes would not be obvious in the eyes of the viewer.

Daily examples of interference:

Rainbow in the sky after rainfall Rainbow in water spray from garden hose Rainbow from CD reflection Alternating loud and soft sound across field when two loud speakers face the field

diffraction
Refers to the spreading or bending of waves when passing through a gap or round an obstacle. The smaller the gap, the greater the diffraction If the gap is too big, no diffraction will happen

 Daily examples of diffraction of waves Water surface waves bend around pillars Sound bends around wall corner into next corridor Light bend around the moon during eclipse of the sun

Single slit diffraction and double slit interference

Waves from a single slit spread out and arrive at double slits Waves from each of these two slits spread out again and overlap in the region beyond. If separation of the 2 slits reduces, more area of overlapping. Hence more fringes seen. Each fringe will be dimmer compared to the previous

Diffraction grating
Consists of multiple slits formed on surface of a glass coated with opaque layer. Each slits diffracts light falling upon it. The diffracted light waves interfere in the region beyond and form a pattern. Pattern observed using a moving telescope

 The pattern consists of very sharp bright lines separated quite apart from each other. The bright lines are formed due to constructive interference The one at the center is known as zero order On the right and left are the 1st order and followed by 2nd and 3rd order.

 The formula d sin = m where d slits separation angle made with original direction m order wavelength

Stationary waves
Stationary waves can occur for any waves from light, sound, water surface to string waves. Formed when two waves of same speed, frequency and comparable amplitude travel in the opposite direction and meet.

 http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/strings.html The frequency of the waves and the boundary where the waves are confined must be such that there is a multiple of half wavelengths formed between them

 Stationary waves are characterised by alternating nodes and antinodes. Nodes points of zero amplitude (d.i.) Antinodes points of max amplitude (c.i.) Distance between two successive nodes is

Stationary waves on string

Stationary sound wave

Standing wave in one close end and one open ended pipe

Standing wave in both open ended pipe

summary
Able to define interference Use principle of superposition to determine resultant amplitude State conditions for interference and for clear interference pattern Calculate fringe spacing Describe change to pattern when , D and s is changed

 Define diffraction Draw diffraction of waves when passing gap Calculate the wavelength from diffraction pattern of a diffraction grating

 Describe how a stationary wave is formed. Calculate wavelength from a series of nodes and antinodes Calculate fundamental frequency and harmonics.