Showing a general solution for a wave on a string fixed at one end

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
2 replies · 2K views
catpants
Messages
9
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/1989/problem1.png

Homework Equations



All shown in the above link, AFAIK

The Attempt at a Solution



Not worried about part a.
For part b, when they say "assume the string is initially at rest" I took that to mean:
[tex]\frac{\delta\Psi(x,0)}{\delta t}=0[/tex]
But I don't know if that is right. It would be used as some sort of initial conditions for solving some diff eq. But I don't understand what that diff eq would be, or how to set it up. I would imagine I solve this diff eq using sep of vars?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
The wave equation, which I presume you have already seen, since it is not mentioned in the problem is
[tex]\frac{\partial^2 \psi}{\partial x^2}= \frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\psi}{\partial t^2}[/tex].

Yes, an initial condition is
[tex]\frac{\partial \psi(x, 0)}{\partial t}= 0[/math]<br /> <br /> (By the way, use "\partial" to get the [itex]\partial[/itex] in LaTex.)[/tex]
 
I think the wave equation is what I was missing. Do I try and solve it using separation of variables? Also, the end of your post got mangled, what were you trying to say?

Thanks!