Help with transverse wave motion question

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around a problem involving transverse wave motion on a string with a point mass. The key issue is understanding the boundary conditions at the mass, specifically how to express the mass's acceleration in terms of the wave equations. Participants clarify that the difference in transverse forces at the mass point must equal the mass times its acceleration, which is not simply derived from the wave equations. The confusion stems from distinguishing between the wave's acceleration and the mass's acceleration. The conversation emphasizes the importance of applying the boundary conditions specifically at the mass point.
ruku320
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Trying to start my homework and stuck on this first problem...

A point mass M is concentrated at a point on a string of characteristic impedance pc. A transverse wave of frequency w moves in the positive x direction and is partially reflected and transmitted at the mass. The boundary conditions are that the string displacements just to the left and right of the mass are equal and that the difference between the transverse forces just to the left and right of the mass equal the mass times its acceleration.

Then the problem goes on to stating variables for the wave amplitudes and how I have to show that the reflected amplitude ratio and the transmitted amplitude ratio equal these values that it set.

Okay, the problem I seem to be having with this problem is the part where it says "the difference between the transverse forces just to the left and right of the mass equal the mass times its acceleration". As I tried to work out the boundary conditions, it seems to be to be saying that T(d/dx(yi + yr)) - T(d/dx(yt)) = Ma where T is tension, d/dx is partial differentation with respect to x, yi is the incident wave, yr is the reflected wave, yt is the transmitted wave and a is acceleration of the mass. The part which I seem to be stuck on is the Ma part. How exactly am I suppose to determine what the acceleration of the mass is in terms of the wave equations? It can't just be the second derivatives of my wave equations since those are the accelerations of the waves themselves and not of the mass. Is there some relation here that I'm missing or am I totally off in writing down the equation for the boundary condition?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
For transverse waves, Ma is just the second derivative of y with respect to t. [Forgive me, the LaTex was ugly.] This applies at the mass point just like anywhere else.

Maybe what's bothering you is that you're not taking note of the fact that the above force and derivative is valid only at the mass point. Thus it is not the wave itself, just the motion of the mass point.

Carl
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K