Examining Wave Displacement Along a Spring

[trivk96]

Homework Statement

A wave is sent along a long spring by moving the left end rapidly to the right and keeping it there. The figure shows the wave pulse at QR - part RS of the long spring is as yet undisturbed.Which of the graphs correctly shows the relation between the original position x of each point of the spring and the corresponding displacement ∆x of that point (Displacements to the right are positive.)

Homework Equations

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The Attempt at a Solution

I think that it is #3 because the displacement at the beginning is 0 correct? Also, the wave part is moving right which means it was displaceed at a positive. Also the end has not been disturbed yet so its diplacement is 0. Is all this correct. if it isn't, could you help me understand it?

If the above was confusing to understand i apologize.


Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[SammyS]

Homework Statement

A wave is sent along a long spring by moving the left end rapidly to the right and keeping it there. The figure shows the wave pulse at QR - part RS of the long spring is as yet undisturbed.Which of the graphs correctly shows the relation between the original position x of each point of the spring and the corresponding displacement ∆x of that point (Displacements to the right are positive.)

The Attempt at a Solution

I think that it is #3 because the displacement at the beginning is 0 correct? Also, the wave part is moving right which means it was displaced at a positive. Also the end has not been disturbed yet so its displacement is 0. Is all this correct. if it isn't, could you help me understand it?

If the above was confusing to understand i apologize.

Thanks in advance for the help!

#3 cannot be the correct answer. The left end of the spring starts out at x=0 and ends up at x=a, where a is some positive value.

What is Δx at the right end ?

 

[trivk96]

So it would be 1 right??

 

[SammyS]

So it would be 1 right??

That looks to me like the best choice.

Can you defend that choice?

 

[A0170514]

1 is the correct answer

 

[SammyS]

1 is the correct answer

Do you realize that you've answered a 10 month old post ?

 

[A0170514]

yeah.. taking physics for the first time in college