How to Find the Shortest Time for Displacement Change in a Wave Function?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a wave function described by y(x,t)=0.02sin(6.35x+2.63t) and seeks to determine the shortest time for the displacement of the string to change from 0.01m to -0.02m. The context is within wave mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting x=0 to simplify the problem and explore the implications of the sine function in determining time values. Questions arise regarding the derivation of specific time values and the angles corresponding to sine values.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, questioning the validity of provided solutions and exploring multiple potential values for t1 and t2. There is recognition of the need to find pairs of time values that minimize the difference between t2 and t1.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion over specific calculations and the angles involved in the sine function, indicating a possible misunderstanding of the periodic nature of the sine function and its implications for time values.

scrubber
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Homework Statement



A wave on a string has a wave function with the form of:
y(x,t)=0.02sin(6.35x+2.63t)

Find the shortest time for the displacement of the string at any point on the chain changes from 0.01m to -0.02m.

The Attempt at a Solution



The answer said we can set x=0.
And 0.01=0.02sin(2.63t1), 3*3.14/2=2.63t2, where t1 is initial time and t2 is final time.
then t1=0.2s and t2=1.6s, so t2-t1=1.4s

But I don't understand where 3*3.14/2=2.63t2 comes from.
And when I tried to follow the answer and calculate, the calculated answers don't seem to be correct...

So how should I solve it?
Thank you very much.
 
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scrubber said:
But I don't understand where 3*3.14/2=2.63t2 comes from.
And when I tried to follow the answer and calculate, the calculated answers don't seem to be correct...

So how should I solve it?
Thank you very much.

At t2, the displacement is -0.02 at x=0. 0.02 sin(2.63 t2)=-0.02--> sin(2.63 t2)=-1. What is the angle if its sine is -1?

ehild
 
ehild said:
At t2, the displacement is -0.02 at x=0. 0.02 sin(2.63 t2)=-0.02--> sin(2.63 t2)=-1. What is the angle if its sine is -1?

ehild

270 degree, and why does the angle matter please?
 
well, you have the equation 0.02 sin(2.63 t2) = -0.02 And you want to find t2, right? So what is the usual way to find t2 from here?

Also, remember there are many possible values for the angle, so there are many possible values for t1 and t2. But they want you to find values for t1 and t2 such that t2-t1 is as close to zero as possible.
 
BruceW said:
well, you have the equation 0.02 sin(2.63 t2) = -0.02 And you want to find t2, right? So what is the usual way to find t2 from here?

Also, remember there are many possible values for the angle, so there are many possible values for t1 and t2. But they want you to find values for t1 and t2 such that t2-t1 is as close to zero as possible.

I got that now!
That means 2.63 t2 = 3/4∏, right?
But still, the calculated t2 is 1.79, which is not 1.6 from the solution. Anything wrong?
 
There are many possible correct pairs of t1 & t2. In the solution, they use the pair 0.2s & 1.6s
You have found 1.79s as a solution for t2. So you need to find a value for t1 which matches this value of t2.
OR, you can just try to find t2=1.6s instead. So, your equation was sin(2.63 t2) = -1 Can you find some other angles that will work here?
 
hey, wait a minute.. I think their pair 0.2 & 1.6 does not work. Yeah, I'm pretty sure the solution is wrong. Anyway, keep going with your solution. You have got a value for t2. So now you need to find a value for t1.
 

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