How to Calculate Mass of a Wire for Measuring Wave Speed

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To calculate the mass of a wire for measuring wave speed, it's essential to use the formula for wave speed, which relates tension, mass per unit length, and wave speed. The given wave speed is 122 m/s, with a tension of 3.13 N and a length of 0.9 m. The mass per unit length can be derived from rearranging the wave speed formula, ensuring units are consistent. The user initially miscalculated the mass as 0.21029 g/m², which was incorrect due to unit confusion. Clarification on units and proper calculations led to a better understanding of how to determine the wire's mass accurately.
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Homework Statement


I have been writing up a Physics Experiment with working out the speed of waves in a wire.
The wire is stretched across two points which send vibrational pulses down the wire. I am stuck with working out the Mass of the wire throw theoretical methods? hope anyone can help...


Homework Equations


Wave speed=122ms-1
Tension=3.13N1/2
Length=.9m
Mass of length=?


Wave speed=(tension T/mass per unit length)1/2


The Attempt at a Solution


My answer mass=.21029gm^2, just not sure if this is right, it sounds to light for the length of the wire. hope anyone has any ideas ;)
 
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You need to pay better attention to your units. How could the wire have a mass in g 2? is not mass just grams? Also in your post you give the Tension in N 1/2 ? What is that?

All you need do is solve your given expression for mass per unit length. This quantity will have units of \frac {kg} m. Then multiply by your length to get a result in kg.
 
right I see what you mean, sorry about N 1/2 i meant the tension is in Newtons to the power of a half, but i understand why i went wrong, thanks for the help. Cheers Intergral
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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