Need help with questions about Waves on a spring

  • Thread starter Thread starter ksuh
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spring Waves
AI Thread Summary
The speed of a wave on a spring, or slinky, remains constant for a given medium, although particle velocity may vary. The size of the wave pulse, referring to its amplitude, does not affect wave speed. Changing the tension in the spring does impact wave speed, with higher tension resulting in faster wave propagation. Relevant formulas include those relating frequency and tension, as well as the specific formula for wave velocity in a transverse wave on a spring. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurately answering the questions posed.
ksuh
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
1. Does the speed of the wave change as it travels along the slinky? (Would this be yes? Because it should slow down as it reaches the end of a slinky right?)
2. Does the speed depend on the size of the wave pulse?
3. When you change the tension in the spring, does the wave speed change? (My teacher never really explained tension so I'm a bit lost)

I'm just really lost and these questions have to be turned in tomorrow. Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ksuh said:
1. Does the speed of the wave change as it travels along the slinky? (Would this be yes? Because it should slow down as it reaches the end of a slinky right?)

No wave velocity is constant for a given media. However your answer holds if you're discussing about particle velocity.

2. Does the speed depend on the size of the wave pulse?

Huh? Size of wave pulse means instantaneous vertical displacement or amplitude ?

3. When you change the tension in the spring, does the wave speed change? (My teacher never really explained tension so I'm a bit lost)

What is the formula relating to frequency and tension in a spring ? Does that involve wave velocity. Also what is the formula for wave velocity in a spring (transverse wave) ?

I'm just really lost and these questions have to be turned in tomorrow. Thanks in advance.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Circle approximation of a wave pulse on a string or spring
Replies
29
Views
1K
Question about Waves on a String
Replies
2
Views
2K
Waves - General question about Damping and how it affects a propagating wave
Replies
1
Views
3K
Spring set makes up a traveling wave
Replies
16
Views
3K
How Does Spring Mass Affect Its Behavior?
2
Replies
70
Views
7K
Wave speed for non-uniform density?
Replies
6
Views
4K
When and where do two transverse waves on strings overtake each other?
Replies
8
Views
2K
Interpreting questions like this (About waves)
Replies
11
Views
1K
Solving the Slinky Wave Problem: HELP!
Replies
10
Views
3K
Sound Wave Interference and Finding the Path Differences with Diagrams
Replies
20
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top