LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

QUARTER 2/1st SEMESTER, WEEK 4.a

Name: ________________________________________________ Score: _______

Grade & Section: __________________________ Subject: GENERALPHYSICS 1

Name of Teacher: _________________________________ Date: _____________

I. Title: Mechanical Waves
II. Type of Activity: Concept notes with formative activities

LAS for summative assessment ( Written Work Performance Task)

III. MELC: Define mechanical wave, longitudinal wave, transverse wave, periodic
wave, and sinusoidal wave (STEM_GP12PMIId-31). From a given sinusoidal wave
function infer the speed, wavelength, frequency, period, direction, and wave number
(STEM_GP12PMIId-32). Apply the inverse-square relation between the intensity of
waves and the distance from the source (STEM_GP12MWSIIe-34).

IV. Learning Objective/s:

• Differentiate a mechanical wave from an electromagnetic wave.

• Differentiate a longitudinal wave from a transverse wave.
• Calculate the propagation speed, power transmitted by waves on a
string with given tension, mass, and length.
• Apply the inverse-square relation between the intensity of waves and
the distance from the source.

V. Reference/s:

Print Material/s:

Esguerra, J.P.H. et al. 2018. General Physics I Learner’s Material First Edition.
Department of Education – BLR, Philippines pp. 201-208.

Silverio, A. 2007. Exploring Life Through Science – Physics, page 214-226.

Online Resource/s:

Elert, G. (2021). The Physics Hypertextbook. Wave Intensity. Retrieved

January 7, 2020 from https://physics.info/intensity/.

Page 1 of 10
 OpenStax College. College Physics. Retrieved January 6, 2020 from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/16-11-energy-in-
waves-intensity/.

VI. Concept Notes

A. Definition of wave

A wave is a disturbance propagating in a medium or in vacuum, carrying energy

with them. A single unrepeated disturbance is called a wave pulse. A succession of
periodic disturbances is called a wave train.

B. Mechanical vs Electromagnetic Waves

Before James Clerk Maxwell invented the concept of electromagnetic waves

about 150 years ago and Heinrich Hertz confirmed their existence, physicist thought
that all waves needed a medium to travel or propagate.

We know that there are waves that need a medium to propagate (mechanical
waves) and weaves that do not need a medium to propagate (electromagnetic
waves). Example of mechanical waves include waves on a spring, seismic wave
associated with earthquakes, what are waves, and sound. Examples of
electromagnetic dreams include light, radio waves, x-rays, gamma rays, microwaves,
infrared waves, and ultraviolet waves.

C. Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

Waves can be classified as either

longitudinal, transverse, or combination
transverse-longitudinal.

If the direction of oscillation of the

particle is perpendicular or transverse the
direction of propagation, the mechanical
wave is the transverse wave.

If the direction of oscillation of the

particles in the medium is parallel to the
direction of propagation of the wave, the https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/image-files/longitudinal-
mechanical wave is a longitudinal wave. transverse-waves.png

If the direction of oscillation of the particles in the medium has components that
are parallel, and components that are perpendicular to the direction of propagation of
the wave, mechanical wave is a combination transverse-longitudinal wave.

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QEDEQH

D. Mathematical Description of Periodic Waves

All waves follow the basic relation (basic wave equation) which shows the
relationship of velocity, frequency, and wavelength:

𝑣𝑣 = 𝜆𝜆𝜆𝜆

where v is the speed of the wave in m/s, f is the frequency in Hz, and 𝜆𝜆 is the
wavelength in meters.

In the previous lesson about Simple Harmonic Motion, we have mentioned that
SHM is a projection of uniform circular motion along a diameter. We projected uniform
circular motion along the x and y axes. A wave function should relate these two
projections.

Consider A wave traveling from left to right with speed v. Let us assume that at
the time t=0, x=0, the particle is at y=0. Point A was an occupied beta particle at point
B at an earlier time t-x/v. substituting the projection 𝑦𝑦 = 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴, we have the equation
𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦 = 𝐴𝐴 sin 𝜔𝜔 (𝑡𝑡 − ). Distributing 𝜔𝜔
𝑣𝑣
𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦 = 𝐴𝐴 sin �𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 − 𝜔𝜔 �
𝑣𝑣
But 𝜔𝜔 = 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋. Therefore,
2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
𝑦𝑦 = 𝐴𝐴 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 �𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 − �
𝑣𝑣
𝑓𝑓 1
But = . Thus,
𝑣𝑣 𝜆𝜆
2𝜋𝜋
𝑦𝑦 = 𝐴𝐴 sin �𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 − 𝑥𝑥� = 𝐴𝐴 sin (𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 − 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘)
𝜆𝜆

Note that other references may use cosine function by considering at time t=0,
and x=0, y=A. Hence, it may also come in the format:

𝑦𝑦 = 𝐴𝐴 cos( 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 − 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘)

Also, note that the equation may vary depending on the direction of the wave.

Page 3 of 10
 The wave function for sinusoidal The wave function for sinusoidal
wave moving in the positive x-direction wave moving in the negative x-
may be written as: direction may be written as:

𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴 sin( 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 − 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘) 𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴 sin( 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 + 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘)
or or
𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴 cos( 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 − 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘) 𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴 cos( 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 + 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘)

Sample Problem:

A transverse wave has the following properties: amplitude = 0.05 m,

frequency = 2.5 Hz, Wave Speed = 15 m/s. The wave is propagating in the +x-
direction at t=0, and x=0, y=0. Find the (a) angular frequency and (b) wave number.
(c) Write the wave function.

Solution:

𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
(a) 𝜔𝜔 = 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 = 2(𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟)(2.5 𝑠𝑠 −1 ) = 15.7 ≈ 16
𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠
2𝜋𝜋 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 2(𝜋𝜋 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟)�2.5𝑠𝑠 −1�
(b) 𝑘𝑘 = = = 15 𝑚𝑚𝑠𝑠 −1
= 1.046 𝑚𝑚 −1
≈ 1.1𝑚𝑚 −1
𝜆𝜆 𝑣𝑣

(c) Plugging in the values for the equation format:𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥, 𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴 sin( 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 − 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘)
𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
𝑦𝑦(0, 0) = 0.05𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠[(16 )𝑡𝑡 − (1.05 𝑚𝑚−1 )(0)]
𝑠𝑠

E. Energy in Waves

A strong earthquake may cause buildings and other infrastructure to collapse.

An intense sound may cause deafness, wither temporary or permanent. Sunlight
makes photosynthesis and life possible here on Earth. Water waves eat the beaches.
All these are pieces of evidence that energy is indeed carried by waves.

Waves transfer energy but not matter. When a sinusoidal wave passes through
a medium each particle of the medium moves in simple harmonic motion. Thus, as
shown before, the total energy of the particle is:

1
𝐸𝐸 = 𝑘𝑘𝐴𝐴2
2
But 𝑘𝑘 = 4𝜋𝜋 2 𝑚𝑚𝑓𝑓 2 . Therefore,

𝐸𝐸 = 2𝜋𝜋 2 𝑚𝑚𝑓𝑓 2 𝐴𝐴2 .

The energy of a mechanical wave is proportional to the square of its frequency

and square of its amplitude.

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 F. Intensity of Waves

The energy effects of a wave depend on time as well as amplitude. For example,
the longer deep-heat ultrasound is applied, the more energy it transfers. Waves can
also be concentrated or spread out. Sunlight, for example, can be focused to burn
wood. Earthquakes spread out, so they do less damage the farther they get from the
source. In both cases, changing the area the waves cover has important effects. All
these pertinent factors are included in the definition of intensity I as power per unit
area:
𝑃𝑃
𝐼𝐼 =
𝐴𝐴

where P is the power carried by the wave through area A. The definition of intensity is
valid for any energy in transit, including that carried by waves. The SI unit for intensity
is watts per square meter (W/m2).

Waves coming from a source will spread radially in all directions. Thus, the area
will be the surface area of a sphere 𝑆𝑆 = 4𝜋𝜋𝑑𝑑 2 , where d is the distance of the point from
the source.
𝑃𝑃 = 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = 𝐼𝐼4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2

The intensity of the wave is inversely proportional to the square of the distance
of the point under consideration from the source of the wave. This relationship is
known as the inverse square law for wave intensity. If the power out of the source is
constant,

𝐼𝐼1 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟1 2 = 𝐼𝐼2 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟2 2

𝐼𝐼1 𝑟𝑟1 2 = 𝐼𝐼2 𝑟𝑟2 2

Sample Problem:

You whisper something to your friend who is 25.0 cm away from you. The
𝑊𝑊
sound reaches your friend’s ear with an intensity of 2.0 × 10−10 2 . (a) How much
𝑚𝑚
energy does the source of sound emit in 1 hour assuming its power output remains
constant? (b) what is the intensity of the sound heard by another friend who is 50
cm away from you?

Solution:

10−10 𝑊𝑊
(a) 𝑃𝑃 = 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 = �2.0 × � (4𝜋𝜋)(0.25𝑚𝑚)2 = 1.57 × 10−10 𝑊𝑊 ≈ 1.6 × 10−10 𝑊𝑊
𝑚𝑚 2
In 1 hour,
𝐸𝐸 = 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = (1.57 × 10−10 𝑊𝑊 )(3600𝑠𝑠) = 5.65 × 10−7 𝐽𝐽 ≈ 𝟓𝟓. 𝟕𝟕 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟕𝟕 𝑱𝑱

𝐼𝐼1𝑟𝑟1 2 �2.0×10−10 𝑊𝑊�(0.25 𝑚𝑚)2 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏−𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝑾𝑾

(b) 𝐼𝐼1 𝑟𝑟1 2 = 𝐼𝐼2 𝑟𝑟2 2 , solving for 𝐼𝐼2 , 𝐼𝐼2 = 2 = (0.5 𝑚𝑚)2
= 𝟓𝟓 ×
𝑟𝑟2 𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐

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 YOU CAN DO THIS!

Task 1. Concept Map. Show your understanding of the concepts by completing the
concept map. Choose the correct terms on each numbered item from the word pool.

Energy Medium Longitudinal Electromagnetic Waves

Matter Transverse Mechanical Vacuum Vacuum

Task 2. True or False. Write T if the statement is true, otherwise write F.

1. Waves involves the movement of matter and energy from the source to the
other parts of the medium.

2. Mechanical waves cannot travel in a vacuum.

3. Sound is an example of electromagnetic wave.
4. Longitudinal Waves are composed of compressions, where particles of the
medium are closer together, and rarefactions where they are farther apart.

5. In transverse waves, the top of the wave is called trough, while the bottom is
called crest.

Page 6 of 10
Task 3. Transverse Vs. Longitudinal Waves. Check if the statements below are
applicable to transverse waves, longitudinal waves, or both.

Statements Transverse Longitudinal

Wave Wave
1. It needs a medium in order to propagate.

2. Carries energy.

3. Follows the wave equation: 𝑣𝑣 = 𝜆𝜆𝜆𝜆

4. Sound waves.
5. Waves created by rope or a string.

YOU CAN DO MORE!

Task 4. Properties of Waves. From the figure identify the value of the properties of
the wave. Express all answers in the standard SI units for each property.

The figure shoes the displacement of a vibrating string vs position along the string.
The wave speed is 10 cm/s.

1. What is the amplitude of the wave?

2. What is the wavelength of the wave?
3. What is the frequency of the wave?
4. What is the period of the wave?
5. Write the wave equation for the motion in (m,s).

Task 5. Wave Function Practice Problems. Solve the following problems below.
Justify your answer or show your complete solution.

1. As you breathe in and out, the volume of air in your lungs is changing. This
change can be modeled by a sine curve. A medical study wants to study the
differences in the volume of air for patients at rest compared to patients who
take a deep breath. When examining the graphs, should the study focus on the
amplitude, period, or the midline? Explain.
Page 7 of 10
 2. Write both a sine and a. cosine equation for the following wave graph:

Task 6. Quantitative Problems. Solve the problem below involving wave motion.

1. The speed of a wave in a certain medium is 900 m/s. If 3000 waves pass over
a certain point of the medium in 2 minutes, then compute its wavelength.

2. A periodic transverse is created by shaking one end of the of a string side to

side periodically. Thirty oscillation are completed in 6.0 seconds. It is observed
that the waveform repeats every 0.48 m. Determine / Calculate the following:
(a) Wavelength of the wave
(b) Frequency of the wave
(c) Period of the wave
(d) Speed of the wave

3. A speedboat sends out a wave that rocks a small boat where a senior high
school student is standing. She notices that the height of the wave as measured
from trough to peak is 0.60m and that the wave rocks a small boat with a period
of 2.0 s. The distance between crest is 1.9 m. What are the (a) Amplitude, (b)
wavelength, (c) frequency, (d) the wave speed, (e) wave number, (f) angular
frequency, and (g) the wave function?

Page 8 of 10
 CHALLENGE YOURSELF!

Task 7. Conceptual Questions. Answer the following questions completely and

concisely.

1. Why is that transverse waves cannot be produced in a gas?

2. Give one example of a transverse wave and one example of a longitudinal
wave, being careful to note the relative directions of the disturbance and wave
propagation in each.
3. Consider a wave produced on a stretched spring by holding one end and
shaking it up and down. Does the wavelength depend on the distance you move
your hand up and down?

4. An electromagnetic wave, such as light, does not require a medium. Can you
think of an example that would support this claim?

Task 8. Energy and Intensity Qualitative Problems. Answer the questions below
using the concept Simple Harmonic Motion.

1. What is the intensity of the sound 4m away from a 500 W speaker? How much
energy is absorbed by the eardrum per minute if the surface area of the ear is
mm2?
2. The intensity is 3x10-6 W/m2 at a distance of 10 m away from the source. How
much power is emitted by the source?
3. The intensity of a sound wave is 100 W/m2 at a distance of 3 m. (a) what is the
intensity of the sound wave at a distance of 6m? What is the intensity at 9m?

Task 9. Sci-Demo. Choose one from among the suggested materials below and make
a 3-5 minute video demonstration and discussion the concepts learned in this LAS.

1. Basin of water
2. Slinky
3. String or rope

LEVEL UP!

Task 10. 3-2-1 Summary. Summarize the concepts you have learned by
accomplishing the task below:

3 Things You
1.

Learned 2.
3.

Page 9 of 10
 2 Types of
1.

Mechanical Waves 2.
and Examples
1 Question you
1.

have in mind

Task 11. House Tour. List down commonly used objects in your house which
produces or uses waves. Use the table below in accomplishing the task.

Mechanical Waves Electromagnetic

Waves
Transverse Longitudinal

Task 12. What’s The Big Idea? Read articles about the issue presented below and
answer the question briefly and concisely.

EARTHQUAKES

1. What are earthquakes?

2. How do P waves and S waves travel?
3. Explain why areas away from the epicenter of an earthquake experiences less
effects that areas near the epicenter.

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