The discussion centers on understanding the speed of longitudinal waves, particularly in the context of a slinky. Participants clarify that when a force (F) is applied to one end of the slinky, the resulting velocity (v) of the wave is not constant due to the continuous change in momentum as the wave propagates. Key concepts include the relationship between force, velocity, and the medium's properties, such as spring constant and linear mass density, which influence wave behavior.
PREREQUISITESStudents in physics, educators explaining wave mechanics, and anyone interested in the dynamics of wave propagation in elastic media.
Have you seen animations or videos of this situation? As with transverse waves, the spring constant and the linear mass density enter into the equations, right?bolzano95 said:I didn't quite understand my professor when he defined the speed of longitudinal wave.
Lets say I have a slinky and on one side we act with a force F along the slinky. Well, he said that this part then starts to move with velocity v.
But how? v isn't constant...