Calculating Wave Pulse Travel Time with Clothesline Density

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the travel time of a wave pulse along a clothesline, given its length, tension, and linear density. Participants are exploring the relationship between these variables in the context of wave mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to determine the mass of the clothesline from its linear density, while questioning the absence of the radius or cross-sectional area. There are inquiries about the time it takes for the wave to travel the length of the clothesline and back, as well as clarifications regarding the type of density provided.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing clarifications about the nature of the density given. There is an exploration of the concept of phase velocity and its relevance to the problem, but no consensus or resolution has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraint of not having the radius or cross-sectional area of the clothesline, which is necessary for calculating mass from linear density. There is also a focus on understanding the implications of the tension in the clothesline on wave propagation.

daisyi
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I can't figure out how to find the mass of the clothesline, even though given the density, because the radius or crossectional area is not given. Any input on this would be appreciated.

A clothesline of length 10m is stretched between a house and a tree. The clothesline is under a tension of 50N and it has a density of 6x10^-3 kg/m. How long does a wave pulse take to travel from the house to the tree and back?

I have a couple of questions that use the density and they all allude me. Thanks!
 
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Note that you have been given a LINE DENSITY, not a volume density..
 
daisyi:

How much time do you think the wave will take? And why do the questions allude you? Post your solutions...

Cheers
Vivek
 
The wave travels at a velocity called the Phase Velocity. This velocity is responsible for covering the length of the string.
 

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