How Does Wave Motion Affect the Path of a Point on a Wave?

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Wave motion affects the path of a point on a wave by determining its movement based on the positions of neighboring points. When tracking a point, if the point to the left is lower, the point will move downward, and vice versa. Confusion arises when trying to understand why a point, like Q, can appear stationary despite being lower than its previous positions. The discussion emphasizes that each point can only move up, down, or remain stationary, and analyzing its position over time is crucial. Ultimately, clarifying the relationship between current and past positions is key to understanding wave motion dynamics.
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Homework Statement


http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/bubakazouba/114d22d10848ac93ac2fcea482ffe527_zpsedb41f24.jpg
the other line is a drawing of me trying to trace the wave(but of course its wrong,Im sry try to ignore it)
the answer is A

Homework Equations


My teacher told me that when we get a question like this to determine the point that I want to track its path and look at its left to see whether the point on its left is higher or lower than it
if it is lower then it will go downwards and vice versa.


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried that but it gets Q wrong, Q should get downward, why is it stationary?
which leads to the other question how can any point on the wave remain stationary after a time.
 
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hi bubakazouba! :smile:

each point can only move up or down (or be stationary)

to find which, look at where it was a moment ago, and where it will be in a moment's time

both times, Q is lower than it is now :wink:
 
sorry i don't get it,
there are two instants {a moment ago, in a moment's time}
you said
"both times Q is lower than it is now", Q now is lower than Q now?
 
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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?

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