Elementary travelling wave problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter patrickmoloney
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Elementary Wave
AI Thread Summary
A sinusoidal wave with a frequency of 50 Hz travels along a string at a velocity of 28 m/s, leading to a wavelength of 0.56 m and a wave number of 11.2 rad/m. The derived traveling wave equation is y = -0.024sin(11.2x - 314t - 1.41), where the amplitude is -0.024 m and the phase shift is -1.41 rad. For the second part of the problem, the acceleration of a point in the string is given as 1800 m/s², and it can be calculated using the derived velocity function. By differentiating the velocity function to find acceleration and using the provided time, the minimum distance between the specified point and x=0 can be determined. The overall solution requires applying the principles of wave motion and calculus to find the required distance.
patrickmoloney
Messages
94
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement



A sinusoidal wave of frequency 50 Hz travels along a string at velocity of 28 m/s. At a given instant the displacement and velocity of a certain point in the string are 24 mm and 1.2 m/s respectively. Taking the certain point and given instant to be x=0, t=0, derive the traveling wave equation which gives the displacement of any point on the string as a function of position x, and time t.

A point in the string has an acceleration of 1800 m/s², at a time 3.0 ms before the instant specified above. What is the minimum distance possible between this and the point x=0

Homework Equations



λ=v/f , k=2π/λ , y(x,t)= Asin(kx-ωt+\varphi)

I assume ∂²x/∂t²= -Aω²Sin(kx-ωt+\varphi)

The Attempt at a Solution



I would really appreciate the second part explained to me.

I got the first part:

y= Asin(kx-ωt+\varphi)

λ= v/f = 28/50 = 0.56 m and k= 2π/λ = 2π/0.56 = 11.2 rad/m and ω= 2πf = 100π

the velocity of the displaced point is obtained using a differential equation:

dy/dt = -Aωcos(kx-ωt+\varphi)

y= 0.024 = Asin(\varphi) at x=0, t=0

dy/dy= 1.2= -Acos(\varphi)

solving the simultaneous equations we have \varphi = -1.41 rad and A = -0.024 m

∴Equation of traveling wave is y= -0.024sin(11.2x-314t-1.41).

no idea about the next part. Can someone do it for me?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The second part is done much like the first one. Differentiate the velocity function; that will give the acceleration, whose value you are given. You are further given the time, so the only unknown is the distance. Find it from the acceleration equation.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top