Core 3 Chapter 3: Wave Propagation

HKDSE Physics – Wave Propagation

HKDSE Physics Core
Chapter 3: Wave Propagation | 波動的傳播

Billy Sir’s Smart Notes: Master Wave Properties, Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves, and Wave Graphs.
由中大物理系碩士 Billy Sir 編寫,助你極速掌握波的特性、橫波與縱波及波動圖像。

1. Types of Waves | 波的種類

A wave transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter. 波能把能量從一處傳遞到另一處,但不會傳遞物質。

Wave Type (波的種類) Particle Motion (粒子運動方向) Key Features (主要特徵) Examples (例子)
Transverse Wave
橫波
Perpendicular (\( \perp \)) to the direction of wave travel.
垂直於波的傳播方向。
Has Crests (highest points) and Troughs (lowest points).
具有波峰(最高點)和波谷(最低點)。
Water waves, Light (EM waves), waves on a string.
水波、光(電磁波)、繩波。
Longitudinal Wave
縱波
Parallel (\( \parallel \)) to the direction of wave travel.
平行於波的傳播方向。
Has Compressions (particles close together) and Rarefactions (particles spread apart).
具有密部(粒子密集)和疏部(粒子稀疏)。
Sound waves, ultrasound, primary seismic waves (P-waves).
聲波、超聲波、地震P波。

2. Basic Wave Properties | 波的基本特性

Property (特性) Symbol & Unit Definition (定義)
Amplitude
振幅
\( A \) (m) The maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position. (粒子偏離平衡位置的最大位移)
Wavelength
波長
\( \lambda \) (m) The distance between two consecutive points in phase (e.g., crest to crest). (兩個連續同相點之間的距離,如波峰到波峰)
Period
週期
\( T \) (s) The time taken to produce one complete wave. (產生一個完整波所需的時間)
Frequency
頻率
\( f \) (Hz) The number of complete waves produced per second. \( f = \frac{1}{T} \) (每秒產生的完整波的數目)

🌊 The Wave Equation | 波動方程

The speed of a wave (\( v \)) is related to its frequency and wavelength: 波速與其頻率及波長有關:

$$ v = f \lambda $$
  • \( v \) = Wave speed (m s\(^{-1}\)) (波速)
  • \( f \) = Frequency (Hz) (頻率)
  • \( \lambda \) = Wavelength (m) (波長)

3. Wave Graphs | 波動圖像

It is crucial to distinguish between the two types of wave graphs in exams! 在考試中,必須清楚分辨兩種波動圖像!

📸 1. Displacement-Distance Graph | 位移-距離圖像

This graph shows a “snapshot” of the whole wave at a specific instant in time. 這圖像顯示了波在某一瞬間的「快照」。

  • x-axis: Distance from the source (\( x \)) (距離)
  • y-axis: Displacement (\( d \)) (位移)
  • What you can find:
    • Amplitude (\( A \)): Maximum y-value.
    • Wavelength (\( \lambda \)): Distance between two consecutive crests or troughs.

⏱️ 2. Displacement-Time Graph | 位移-時間圖像

This graph tracks the motion of a single particle over a period of time. 這圖像追蹤了單一粒子隨時間的運動。

  • x-axis: Time (\( t \)) (時間)
  • y-axis: Displacement (\( d \)) (位移)
  • What you can find:
    • Amplitude (\( A \)): Maximum y-value.
    • Period (\( T \)): Time taken for one complete oscillation (e.g., peak to peak). Once you have \( T \), you can calculate \( f = \frac{1}{T} \).

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