Force and acceleration in a vibrating wire

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a vibrating wire of length 1 meter, which vibrates at a base frequency of 200 Hz. Participants explore the relationship between force, acceleration, and amplitude, with specific mass and maximal acceleration provided. The problem requires determining the amplitude of the wire's vibration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Newton's second law and wave equations to relate tension, stress, and acceleration. Questions arise regarding the definition of acceleration and the nature of the displacement function. Some participants explore the implications of standing waves and the relationship between amplitude and wave properties.

Discussion Status

Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, with participants questioning the calculations and assumptions made regarding amplitude and acceleration. Some guidance is provided on the mathematical relationships involved, but no consensus on the correctness of the solutions has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the constraints of the problem, including the specific mass of the wire and the maximal acceleration, while discussing the implications of these values on the amplitude. There is also mention of the nature of harmonic motion and how it relates to the physical properties of vibrating strings.

Karol
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Homework Statement


A wire of length 1[m] vibrates with the base frequency which is 200[Hz]. the specific mass is 8[gr/cm3].
The maximal acceleration at the middle is 80,000[cm/sec2]. what is the amplitude

Homework Equations


Newton's second law: F=ma
The cosine sentence: A^2=B^2+C^2-2BC\cdot \cos \alpha
The speed of transverse waves in a wire: u=\sqrt{\frac{P}{\rho}}
P is the stress and \rho is the specific mass.
The speed as a function of wavelength and frequency: u=\lambda f

The Attempt at a Solution


The tension is the stress times the area. and the force i take from Newton's law:
##F=100[cm]\cdot 8[gr/cm^3]\cdot a \cdot 80,000=64E6\cdot A[dyn]##
The velocity:
##u=\lambda f\rightarrow 200=\frac{u}{2\cdot 100}\rightarrow u=40,000[cm/s]##
The stress:
##u=\sqrt{\frac{P}{\rho}}\rightarrow 40,000=\sqrt{\frac{P}{8}}\rightarrow P=200E6[dyn/cm^2]##
I drew the forces in the stretched wire, i find the resultant force:
##F^2=2T^2-2T^2\cos 2\alpha##
##(64E6)^2\cdot A^2=(200E6)^2A^2(1-\cos 2\alpha)##
##\rightarrow \alpha=9.21^0 \rightarrow h=8.1[cm]##
It's a little high, no? is my solution correct?
 

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The wire of length 1 m vibrates with its fundamental frequency. It means a standing wave. What is the wavelength?
The frequency is given. What is the speed of the wave? If you know the speed and the specific mass, you can determine the tension.

The problem text asks the amplitude at the middle. What function is the displacement of the time there? How do you get the acceleration from displacement?

ehild
 
The displacement function:
##y=A\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{\lambda}x\right)##
##y''=-\frac{4\pi^2 A}{\lambda^2}\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{\lambda}x\right)##
##-80,000=-\frac{4\pi^2 A}{200^2}##
And A comes out huge
 
You calculated the second derivative of a the spatial part of the wave, with respect to the position.
How is acceleration defined?

ehild
 
##y=2A\sin(2\pi f t)\sin\left(\frac{2\pi x}{\lambda}\right)##
##y=2A\sin(2\pi\cdot 200t)##
##y''=-32,000\pi^2A\sin(400\pi t)##
##-80,000=-32,000\pi^2A\rightarrow A=0.253[cm]##
Is it correct and is the result logical?
 
Karol said:
##y=2A\sin(2\pi f t)\sin\left(\frac{2\pi x}{\lambda}\right)##
##y=2A\sin(2\pi\cdot 200t)##
Why is that factor 2 there? y means the displacement from the middle position, and A is the maximum displacement.
Karol said:
##y''=-32,000\pi^2A\sin(400\pi t)##
Why did you change the frequency to 400? And what is the maximum acceleration in parametric form?

ehild
 
The equation:
##y=2A\sin(2\pi f t)\sin\left(\frac{2\pi x}{\lambda}\right)##
I took from 2 waves traveling in opposite directions. when they interfere positively the amplitude doubles. i could take here only A.
I didn't change the frequency to 400, it's 400X2 that is in the brackets.
The acceleration in parametric form:
##y'=4\pi f A\cos(2\pi ft)\sin\left(\frac{2\pi x}{\lambda}\right)##
##y''=-8\pi^2f^2A\sin(2\pi f t)\sin\left(\frac{2\pi x}{\lambda}\right)##
##80,000=8\pi^2\cdot 200^2\cdot A\rightarrow A=0.0253[cm]##
And that's too small, no?
 
The middle of the wire performs simple harmonic motion. The problem asks the amplitude of that vibration. It is simply A. The wire does not know that its motion can be written as the sum of two waves traveling in opposite directions.
And why do you think it is too small? Do you think, the strings of a violin or guitar has to jump off? :D
 

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