Just had a Test and I could not get this one

  • Thread starter Thread starter Saladsamurai
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Test
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
Sign up Log in
8 replies · 2K views
Saladsamurai
Messages
3,009
Reaction score
7
It was only worth 5 points so I just guessed.

Two sinusoidal waves interfere with each other to produce a Standing wave. The distance between the 2nd and 5th node is 60cm. What was the original wavelength of the original waves?

Oh yeah, and f=100Hz.

Where do I start on this one. I know f=nv/2L and V=lambda*f

um...I guess I am missing whatever the key concept is here to establish the correct relationship.

Any ideas?

Casey
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Discussion

The nodes are where the string (or whatever) is not moving. There are how many wavelengths in the 3 nodes as you go from the 2nd to the 5th node?
 
berkeman said:
The nodes are where the string (or whatever) is not moving. There are how many wavelengths in the 3 nodes as you go from the 2nd to the 5th node?

1.5 ? I am not sure what to do with this number. ...60/1.5=40cm?

Casey
 
Last edited:
Saladsamurai said:
1.5 ? I am not sure what to do with this number. ...60/1.5=40cm?

Casey

That would be what I would put down. Do you know if it is correct?
 
berkeman said:
That would be what I would put down. Do you know if it is correct?

I don't know. So is the 100Hz just there to mess with me?
 
Saladsamurai said:
I don't know. So is the 100Hz just there to mess with me?

To test your thinking (aka mess with you). The 100Hz is no help in determining the wavelength unless you have what other two pieces of information about the string?
 
berkeman said:
To test your thinking (aka mess with you). The 100Hz is no help in determining the wavelength unless you have what other two pieces of information about the string?

If I had wave speed V... It did not say it was a string so in general I would have needed some representitive of its elasticity (tension or bulk modulus) and its inertia (linear or volumetric density) since [tex]V=\sqrt\frac{elasticity}{inertial}[/tex]

Casey
 
Saladsamurai said:
1.5 ? I am not sure what to do with this number. ...60/1.5=40cm?

Casey

I agree too.

the distance between two adjacent nodes is half the wavelength of the two waves combining to give a standing wave pattern.