How Do Progressive Waves Transfer Energy?
A wave that generally travels continuously in a medium of the same direction without the change in its amplitude is known as a traveling wave or a progressive wave.
Let us consider the example of a progressive wave on a string. Here, we will describe the relationship.
In the subjects of Maths and Physics, we will see that this topic is very much related. A propagating dynamic disturbance is known as the waves of one or even more than one quantity. We will discover further about the waves and its progressiveness in this article.
What is Progressive Wave
An equation generally can be formed to represent generally the displacement of a particle that is vibrating in a medium through which a wave passes. Thus, we can see that each particle of a progressive wave executes simple harmonic motion of the same period and amplitude differing in phase from each other.
Let us now assume that a wave that is progressive generally travels from the origin O along the positive direction of the X-axis from left to right. The displacement of a particle at a given instant is as follows:
y = a sin ωt …... (1)
where we can see that a is the amplitude of the vibration of the particle and then ω = 2πn.
The displacement of the particle denoted by letter P at a distance x from O at a given instant is given by,
y = a sin (ωt - φ) …... (2)
If two particles are said to be separated by a distance by symbol λ they will differ by a phase of 2π. Therefore we can say that the phase denoted by symbol φ of the particle P at a distance
x is φ = 2π/λ x
y = a sin *ωt - 2πx/λ …... (3)
Since we see that the symbol ω = 2πn = 2π (v/λ), the equation is given by
y = a sin
(2πvt/λ)−(2πx/λ)
(2πvt/λ)−(2πx/λ)
y = a sin 2π/λ (vt – x) …... (4)
Since ω = 2π/T we see that the equation (3) can also be written as,
y = a sin 2π *t/T – x/λ) …... (5)
If the wave that generally travels in the direction which is opposite the equation generally becomes
y = a sin 2π (t/T + x/λ) …... (6)
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Progressive Wave - Important Points
Each particle that is present in the medium executes the vibration which is about its mean position. The disturbance that progresses is from one particle to another.
The particles of the medium vibrate with the same amplitude about their mean positions.
Each particle or we can say that the successive particle of the medium performs a motion similar to that of its predecessor along the direction of the propagation of the wave, but later in time.
The phase of every particle changes from 0 to 2π.
No particle generally remains permanently at the position which is at rest. Twice during each vibration, the particles are momentarily at rest at extreme positions. The particles which are different attain the position at different times.
The transverse progression of the waves is characterized by crests and troughs. The waves which are longitudinal are characterized by compressions and rarefactions.
There is an energy transfer as well which is across the medium in the direction of propagation of progressive waves.
All the particles generally have the same maximum velocity when they pass through the mean position.
The displacement of the velocity and acceleration as well of the particle separated by the equation that is mλ are the same, where m is an integer.
The Intensity of Progressive Wave
If we generally hear the sound which is produced by violin and the instrument flute or harmonium, we get a pleasing sensation in the ear whereas the sound which is produced by a gun, horn, a motor car, etc., generally produces unpleasant sensation in the ear.
The loudness that is generated by the sound depends on the intensity of the sound wave and the sensitivity of the ear.
The intensity is generally defined as the amount of energy that is crossing per unit area per unit time that is perpendicular to the direction with respect to the propagation of the wave.
Intensity is measured in the W m–2.
Types of Progressive waves
Progressive waves are also known as traveling waves. It reveals continuously. The main characteristic of a progressive wave is that it travels in continuity without a stop or change in its amplitude or direction. If there is one or even more than one quantity, then it is known as a propagating dynamic disturbance.
Progressive waves are further classified into two types. One: transverse wave and the second: longitudinal beam. To see how transverse waves are formed, first take a long rope and attach one end to a peg on a wall, stretch it and set it to oscillate up and down at the free end. A bump is formed on the rope which travels in the forward direction. These waves are called transverse waves.
Here, in a transverse progressive wave, the displacement of particles of a medium are at right angles to the direction of the propagation of the wave. When a stone is dropped and still, the water surrounding it moves up and down, therefore right causing circular peaks a circular depression is formed around its circular peak. Thus alternate peaks and depressions are formed with an increasing radius; the peaks are called crest and the depressions are called trough. A crest and a trough make up a wave.
A longitudinal wave is another type of progressive wave. When the displacement of particles of the medium is parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave, the wave is said to be a longitudinal progressive wave. When a spring-mass system oscillates, a longitudinal progressive wave travels along its length in the form of compression and rarefaction.
FAQs on Progressive Waves in Physics: Definition, Formulas & Applications
1. What is a progressive wave in Physics?
A progressive wave, also known as a travelling wave, is a disturbance that travels continuously through a medium, transferring energy from one point to another without any net movement of the medium's particles. Each particle in the medium oscillates about its equilibrium position, passing the disturbance to its neighbours.
2. What are the two main types of progressive waves?
Progressive waves are primarily classified into two types based on the motion of particles relative to the direction of wave propagation:
- Transverse Waves: The particles of the medium oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. Examples include ripples on the surface of water or waves on a guitar string.
- Longitudinal Waves: The particles of the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer. These waves consist of compressions and rarefactions. Sound waves are a prime example.
3. What are some real-world examples of progressive waves?
Progressive waves are very common in our daily lives. Some key examples include:
- Sound waves travelling from a speaker to your ear.
- Light waves travelling from the sun to the Earth.
- Ripples spreading outwards when a stone is dropped into a pond.
- Seismic waves travelling through the Earth's crust during an earthquake.
4. What is the general equation of a progressive wave traveling along the positive x-axis?
The general equation representing the displacement (y) of a particle in a simple harmonic progressive wave is given by:
y(x, t) = A sin(ωt - kx)
Here, 'A' is the amplitude (maximum displacement), 'ω' is the angular frequency, 'k' is the angular wave number, 't' is time, and 'x' is the position of the particle. The minus sign indicates that the wave is travelling in the positive x-direction.
5. How do progressive waves transfer energy without transferring matter?
Progressive waves transfer energy through the vibration of particles in a medium. Each particle oscillates around its fixed equilibrium position and passes its energy to the next adjacent particle, creating a chain reaction of oscillations. The disturbance propagates, but the particles themselves do not travel along with the wave. This is similar to how a stadium wave moves through a crowd; the people stand up and sit down, but they don't run around the stadium.
6. What is the key difference between progressive waves and stationary waves?
The primary difference lies in energy transfer and particle amplitude. A progressive wave continuously transfers energy through the medium, and all particles oscillate with the same amplitude. In contrast, a stationary wave does not transfer energy; it is confined between two points. In a stationary wave, particles have different amplitudes, ranging from zero at the nodes to a maximum at the antinodes.
7. Why do all particles in a progressive wave have the same amplitude and frequency but different phases?
All particles in the medium are driven by the same wave source, which dictates a constant frequency and initial amplitude for the oscillation. However, the phase of each particle is different because the wave disturbance takes a finite amount of time to travel from one particle to the next. A particle further from the source will begin its oscillation later than a particle closer to the source, resulting in a continuous phase lag that depends on its position.
8. In what ways are sound waves a classic example of longitudinal progressive waves?
Sound waves are an excellent example of longitudinal progressive waves because they demonstrate the core characteristics perfectly. When a source like a tuning fork vibrates, it causes the surrounding air particles to oscillate back and forth parallel to the direction the sound is travelling. This creates a series of compressions (areas of high pressure) and rarefactions (areas of low pressure) that propagate outwards. This propagating disturbance is the sound wave we hear.
