How to maintain the same stationary wave pattern?

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To maintain the same stationary wave pattern, it's essential to understand the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength. The correct answer involves increasing the wave speed rather than reducing the wavelength, as the latter cannot be changed without affecting the standing wave condition. The wave speed on a string can be altered by adjusting the string's tension or density. This relationship is crucial for achieving the desired stationary wave pattern when frequency changes. Understanding these principles is key to solving related problems in wave mechanics.
toforfiltum
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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations


not sure

The Attempt at a Solution


The answer is C, though I answered B. I don't understand why C is the answer.I thought that to maintain the same stationary wave pattern, I must maintain the speed of the stationary wave, and one way to do this is by reducing the wavelength of the wave. Instead, the answer suggests that we increase the speed of wave instead. Is it done to match the increase in frequency? But even so, why is B wrong?
 
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In order to have a standing wave, the string length needs to be a half-integer multiple of the wavelength. You therefore cannot change the wavelength. How would you achieve this when the frequency changes? (Hint: How does frequency relate to wave speed?)
 
Orodruin said:
In order to have a standing wave, the string length needs to be a half-integer multiple of the wavelength. You therefore cannot change the wavelength. How would you achieve this when the frequency changes? (Hint: How does frequency relate to wave speed?)
Ah, I forgot the fact that the wavelength of a stationary wave cannot be simply changed. Anyway, how do you increase the speed of wave on the string?
 
toforfiltum said:
Ah, I forgot the fact that the wavelength of a stationary wave cannot be simply changed. Anyway, how do you increase the speed of wave on the string?

Have you seen the derivation of the wave equation for a string? If not you should look it up, it will tell you the wave velocity in terms of the density and string tension. Changing either will change the wave velocity.
 
Orodruin said:
Have you seen the derivation of the wave equation for a string? If not you should look it up, it will tell you the wave velocity in terms of the density and string tension. Changing either will change the wave velocity.
Ok, thanks.
 
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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