Mathematica Mathematica Representation of a wave

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a physics problem related to a sinusoidal wave propagating along a stretched string. Key points include the determination of the wave's period, amplitude, wavelength, and wave speed. The user initially calculated the period as 0.04 seconds and the amplitude as 4 mm. They encountered difficulties in calculating the wavelength, initially arriving at an incorrect value of 0.78 m instead of the expected 0.14 m. Suggestions were made to consider the phase difference between two points on the wave to establish the time taken for the wave to travel between them. This approach simplifies the calculation of wave speed by using the distance between two wave peaks divided by the time taken. The discussion highlights the importance of correctly interpreting wave properties and utilizing the mathematical representation of the wave to solve for unknowns effectively.
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Homework Statement



"A sinusoidal wave is propagating along a stretched stringas a function of time is graphed in the figure (attached) for particles at x = 0 and x =0.0900m. a) what is the period of the wave ( my ans = 0.04 sec

b) what is the amplitude of the wave ( my ans = 4mm)

c)you are told that the 2 points x=0 and x=0.0900m are within one wavelength of each other. If the wave is moving in the +x direction, determine the wavelenght and the wave speed."





Homework Equations



y(x ,t) = A cos(2pi ( x/lambda - t/T))

ie the mathematical representation of a wave

The Attempt at a Solution



I have already posted this Q previously, but fear that how I posted it made it seem unsolvable, this is what I did again:

0.75 = cos (2pi (0.09/lambda - 0 )) where I get lambda, and thus wavelength to equal 0.78... which isn't correct since the answer is something like 0.14m

any pointers on how to solve would be great!
 

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  • wave figure.jpg
    wave figure.jpg
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I can't open your attachment as yet (its still pending approval) but I'll assume you took the period and amplitude from information of the graphs.

Do the two graphs should show a phase difference? If they do, you can easily use this to establish how long the wave takes to get from the first point to the second. Youve then got a distance and a time from which a speed is easy.
 
yeah i got it now...u use the distance travelled...ie between 2 waves...so from say a peak to the next peak ...adn diide by time...makes it REAL simple when you consider this way...cheers for the attempt...no1 else seemed to b able to get it?
 

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