Understanding the Spread of Vibration When a Stone Drops on a Surface

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the propagation of vibrations when a stone drops on a surface, exploring whether these vibrations continue to spread indefinitely or diminish over time. Participants examine the nature of vibrational waves, their persistence, and the factors affecting their propagation, including dissipation and thermal noise.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that vibrations could theoretically propagate indefinitely but become negligible over distance.
  • Others argue that vibrational waves are quantized, suggesting that at low intensities, distinguishing the wave from thermal vibrations becomes challenging.
  • A participant notes that energy dissipation due to factors like friction and viscosity will eventually reduce the wave's energy to a level comparable to thermal energy, making it difficult to assert the wave's existence.
  • Another participant questions whether there is a theoretical point at which a wave completely disappears, despite acknowledging that it may transform rather than stop traveling.
  • There is a request for clarification on the definitions of vibration and wave, indicating a need for deeper conceptual understanding beyond standard references.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the persistence of vibrations and the conditions under which they may cease to exist. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives on the nature of vibrational propagation.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about ideal conditions for wave propagation, the impact of environmental factors on wave detection, and the definitions of key terms like vibration and wave, which remain unclear to some participants.

Skhandelwal
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When a stone drops on a surface...the vibration on the surface...does it continue to spread forever...but keeps becoming more and more negligable...does it travel distances forever or does it slows down at some rate that it forms an asymptote?

Thank you.
 
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Skhandelwal said:
When a stone drops on a surface...the vibration on the surface...does it continue to spread forever...but keeps becoming more and more negligable...does it travel distances forever or does it slows down at some rate that it forms an asymptote?

Thank you.

I suppose ideally the wave would propagate forever but vibrational waves are quantized. If the intensity of the wave is low enough you could be waiting a very long time to detect a wave and may have trouble distinguishing what you are trying to detect from the surrounding thermal vibrations.
 
The wave represents a coherent excitation; dissipation (friction, viscosity, etc) will pull energy out of the wave over time. At some point the energy in the wave is comparable to thermal energy, and the wave cannot reasonably be said to exist.
 
I guess technically...you are right...you are right to such a extent that even if the vibration does manage to travel beyond some point...a slightest explosion can reverse its direction...but the point I was trying to make is that...even though...the direction might be keep switching...does a point ever really come where theoretically, the wave Perfectly(100%ly) disappears?(I know that it will transform...but will it ever stop travelling?)

What exactly is vibration anyways? What is a wave? looking up in wikipedia didn't help so I am looking for something different...
 

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