Help with transverse wave motion question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the analysis of transverse wave motion involving a point mass M on a string with characteristic impedance pc. The key boundary conditions are established, stating that the displacements of the string on either side of the mass must be equal, and the difference in transverse forces equals the mass times its acceleration (Ma). The participants clarify that the acceleration of the mass must be derived from the wave equations, emphasizing that it pertains specifically to the mass point rather than the waves themselves.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of transverse wave motion
  • Familiarity with boundary conditions in wave mechanics
  • Knowledge of characteristic impedance in wave propagation
  • Basic principles of Newton's second law as applied to wave systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of wave equations for transverse waves
  • Learn about boundary conditions in wave mechanics
  • Explore the concept of characteristic impedance in detail
  • Investigate the relationship between wave motion and mass acceleration
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on wave mechanics, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to transverse waves and boundary conditions.

ruku320
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Trying to start my homework and stuck on this first problem...

A point mass M is concentrated at a point on a string of characteristic impedance pc. A transverse wave of frequency w moves in the positive x direction and is partially reflected and transmitted at the mass. The boundary conditions are that the string displacements just to the left and right of the mass are equal and that the difference between the transverse forces just to the left and right of the mass equal the mass times its acceleration.

Then the problem goes on to stating variables for the wave amplitudes and how I have to show that the reflected amplitude ratio and the transmitted amplitude ratio equal these values that it set.

Okay, the problem I seem to be having with this problem is the part where it says "the difference between the transverse forces just to the left and right of the mass equal the mass times its acceleration". As I tried to work out the boundary conditions, it seems to be to be saying that T(d/dx(yi + yr)) - T(d/dx(yt)) = Ma where T is tension, d/dx is partial differentation with respect to x, yi is the incident wave, yr is the reflected wave, yt is the transmitted wave and a is acceleration of the mass. The part which I seem to be stuck on is the Ma part. How exactly am I suppose to determine what the acceleration of the mass is in terms of the wave equations? It can't just be the second derivatives of my wave equations since those are the accelerations of the waves themselves and not of the mass. Is there some relation here that I'm missing or am I totally off in writing down the equation for the boundary condition?
 
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For transverse waves, Ma is just the second derivative of y with respect to t. [Forgive me, the LaTex was ugly.] This applies at the mass point just like anywhere else.

Maybe what's bothering you is that you're not taking note of the fact that the above force and derivative is valid only at the mass point. Thus it is not the wave itself, just the motion of the mass point.

Carl
 

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