The discussion revolves around the frequency of vibrations in a composite cord connected to a vibrating source. Participants are exploring the relationship between the frequencies of different sections of the cord, specifically whether they are the same or if the question pertains to the ratio of wavelengths instead.
Some participants agree that the frequencies must be the same due to the nature of the connection to the vibrating source, while others suggest that the question may have a different focus. The conversation is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored.
There is a mention of potential ambiguity in the question, with some participants considering it a trick question or misinterpretation regarding the focus on frequency versus wavelength.
Either it is a trick question or they meant to ask for the ratio of wavelengths.songoku said:
I would not call it a trick question. Realising that something conceptual does not change or when something is trivial is a very important skill in understanding a subject. For example, I keep asking relativity students a question where a muon travels a certain distance in the lab frame before decaying and I want them to tell me how far it travels in its rest frame. I keep asking because I have seen people get it wrong so many times and it illustrates something fundamental.haruspex said: