The Major Types of Waves

A wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance of one or more quantities in physics, mathematics, and related fields, commonly described by a wave equation. At least two field quantities in the wave medium are involved in physical waves. Periodic waves occur when variables oscillate repeatedly around an equilibrium value at a specific frequency.

A travelling wave occurs when the entire waveform moves in one direction; a standing wave occurs when two superimposed periodic waves move in opposite directions. The amplitude of vibration in a standing wave has nulls at some points when the wave amplitude seems reduced or even zero.

A physical wave is usually always contained within a finite space region known as its domain. Earthquake seismic waves, for example, are only significant in the planet’s interior and surface, therefore they can be ignored outside it. Infinite domain waves, on the other hand, are commonly studied in mathematics and are extremely useful tools for understanding physical waves in finite domains.

Wave

Waves come in a variety of forms. A wave is an energy transfer disturbance that transports energy from one location to another. When a wave moves, only energy, not matter, is exchanged.

The medium is the substance through which a wave travels. That medium oscillates back and forth, eventually returning to its initial position. The wave, on the other hand, moves across the medium. It does not remain stationary.

Types and Feature of Wave

There are basically two types of Wave which are as Follows:

• Transverse Wave
• Longitudinal Wave 

Longitudinal and transverse waves are the two types of waves. Transverse waves are similar to those found on water, with the surface going up and down, whereas longitudinal waves are similar to those found in sound, consisting of alternating compressions and rarefactions in a medium.

The crest and trough of a transverse wave are the high and low points, respectively. The compressions and rarefactions of longitudinal waves are identical to the crests and troughs of transverse waves.

The wavelength is the distance between successive crests or troughs. The amplitude of a wave is its height. The frequency is the number of crests or troughs that pass through a given point in a given unit of time.  The wavelength multiplied by the frequency is the method by which a wave’s velocity is calculated.

Even if the oscillation at one place is quite small, waves can travel huge distances. A thunderclap, for example, can be heard from kilometres away, but the sound is only manifested as minute compressions and rarefactions of the air at each given point.

Sound Wave

Longitudinal waves, also known as compression waves, are used to transfer sound through gases, plasma, and liquids. To propagate, it needs a medium. It can, however, be transmitted as both longitudinal and transverse waves through solids. Generally the Longitudinal sound waves are the  waves with alternating pressure deviations from equilibrium, creating local compression and rarefaction, whereas transverse waves (in solids) are waves with alternating shear stress at right angles to the direction of propagation.

Sound waves can be observed using parabolic mirrors and sound-producing instruments.

An oscillating sound wave’s energy is converted back and forth between the potential energy of the extra compression (in longitudinal waves) or lateral displacement strain (in transverse waves) of the matter and the kinetic energy of the displacement velocity of the medium’s particles.

Compression and rarefaction patterns make up sound waves. When molecules are densely packed together, compression occurs. Rarefaction, on the other hand, occurs when molecules are separated from one another. The energy of sound causes molecules to shift as it travels through a medium, resulting in an alternating compression and rarefaction pattern.  

Characteristics of Wave

• Wavelength (λ) = The wavelength is the distance between two adjacent troughs or crests. It’s represented as λ and measured in centimetres, millimetres, nanometres, or Angstroms.
• Frequency (v) = A wave’s frequency is the number of times it travels through a specific point in a medium in one second. It is represented in cycles per second (cps) or hertz and is indicated by v(nu) (Hz).A wave’s frequency is inversely related to its Wavelength (λ).
• Velocity= The velocity of a wave is the distance it travels in one second. It is expressed in cm Sec-1 and is indicated by the letter c.
• Amplitude= The height of the crest or the depth of the trough of a wave is indicated by the letter a. It determines the brightness or intensity of the light beam.

Conclusion

In this article we have learnt about waves and their types. We have also studied the characteristics of waves. In physics, vibrations and waves are extremely important. Oscillations can be found all across nature. Vibrations can be found in practically every physical system, from the jiggling of atoms to the large oscillations of sea waves. In physics, a wave is a disturbance or oscillation that passes through space-time and is accompanied by an energy transfer.