- #1
crick
- 39
- 4
I think I miss something about energy of a mechanical wave.
In absence of dissipation the mechanical energy transported by an harmonic wave is constant.
$$E=\frac{1}{2} A^2 \omega^2 m$$
But, while studying normal modes on a rope, I find that the mechanical energy of a normal mode (still constant) is equal to
$$E=\frac{1}{4} A^2 \omega^2 m$$
Is the factor ##\frac{1}{2}## really present and why?
In absence of dissipation the mechanical energy transported by an harmonic wave is constant.
$$E=\frac{1}{2} A^2 \omega^2 m$$
But, while studying normal modes on a rope, I find that the mechanical energy of a normal mode (still constant) is equal to
$$E=\frac{1}{4} A^2 \omega^2 m$$
Is the factor ##\frac{1}{2}## really present and why?