Wavelength & Frequency: No Change

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between wavelength and frequency of a wave when viewed through a stroboscope. The original poster presents a scenario involving a wave with a wavelength of 1.5 cm and a frequency of 8 Hz, and questions the change in wavelength when viewed at a stroboscope frequency of 6 Hz.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore whether the problem is asking for a change in apparent wavelength, frequency, or velocity. There is a focus on the relationship between the strobe frequency and the wave frequency, with some questioning the original poster's assumption about wavelength remaining unchanged.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights regarding the perceived changes in frequency rather than wavelength, suggesting that the strobe frequency not being aligned with the wave frequency could lead to an apparent change in frequency. There is an acknowledgment of differing interpretations of the problem, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the textbook provides an answer of 0.75 cm for the observed wavelength, which raises questions about the interpretation of the problem's requirements. The discussion also highlights the potential for confusion between apparent changes in frequency and wavelength.

primarygun
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If a wave with wavelength 1.5 cm and frequency 8Hz, is viewed through a stroboscope with 6Hz, what's the change of its wavelength?
My answer is not identical to what in my textbook.
My thought is :there is no change of the wavelength, as the time given is enough for the wave to move over one wavelength.
 
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primarygun said:
If a wave with wavelength 1.5 cm and frequency 8Hz, is viewed through a stroboscope with 6Hz, what's the change of its wavelength?
My answer is not identical to what in my textbook.
My thought is :there is no change of the wavelength, as the time given is enough for the wave to move over one wavelength.
are you sure the problem requests the change in apparent wavelength, and not the change in apparent frequency or apparent velocity?
btw, what answer does the textbook give?
 
Thanks for kind response.
It is the observed wavelength and the answer is 0.75 cm, half of the wavelength.
 
primarygun said:
If a wave with wavelength 1.5 cm and frequency 8Hz, is viewed through a stroboscope with 6Hz, what's the change of its wavelength?
My answer is not identical to what in my textbook.
My thought is :there is no change of the wavelength, as the time given is enough for the wave to move over one wavelength.
from the stated problem, it seems you'd perceive an apparent change in frequency, not in wavelength. it seems like you'd be able to see the physical extent of the wave and be able to measure the wavelength directly during each strobe pulse. thus, you'd not detect any apparent change in wavelength.

on the other hand, the frequency would appear to change. because the strobe frequency of 6 Hz is not aligned (or "synced") with the wave frequency of 8 Hz, the viewer would only see a wave peak return to a given position every 1/2 second (= 3 strobes @ 6 Hz = 4 wave cycles @ 8 Hz). that's the shortest elapsed time for which the 6 Hz strobe can coincide with the 8 Hz wave's peak returning to a given position:
Code:
strobe     wave peak @ given position
 (sec)         (sec)
   0 **       ** 0
  1/6           1/8
  2/6           2/8
   ...          3/8
  3/6 **     ** 4/8  ---- wave period would appear to be 1/2 sec
wave period would appear to be 1/2 sec, so freq would appear to be f=(1/Period)=(2 Hz).
thus, problem answer seems to be:
wave frequency would appear to change from 8 Hz to 2 Hz .
 
Last edited:

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