Simple Harmonic Motion Guitar String Question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the maximum speed and acceleration of a guitar string's midpoint oscillating with a 2.24mm amplitude and a frequency of 400Hz. The correct formula for maximum speed was applied, resulting in a value of 5.6 m/s. However, confusion arose regarding the maximum acceleration, with some participants misinterpreting the midpoint as the oscillation's midpoint rather than the physical midpoint of the string. It was clarified that the displacement at the midpoint should not be assumed to be zero, as it refers to the string's length rather than its oscillation position. Understanding the distinction between displacement and amplitude is crucial for accurate calculations.
Apothem
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Homework Statement


Question: "The midpoint of a guitar string oscillates with an amplitude of 2.24mm with a frequency of 400Hz. Calculate:
i) The maximum speed at this point
ii) The maximum acceleration of the string at this point"

Homework Equations


Suitable formulas: x=Asin(2*pi*f*t) ; a=-(2*pi*f)2(x) ; v=(2*pi*f)(A)
where A= amplitude/m ; f=frequency/Hz ; t=time/s

The Attempt at a Solution


Attempted Solution:
I think I am alright with part i) I did: v=(2*pi*400)*(2.24x10-3)=5.6ms-1

However for part ii) I am a bit unsure, do I take x to be the amplitude, but at the midpoint would x not be 0, so the acceleration is 0 ms-2?

(I originally posted this in the wrong section, and reposted it in the correct section, sorry if I should not have reposted it in a new section)
 
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Your formulas under 2. are just for the displacement ##x## of a single point on the strong. There's no notion of the "midpoint" or any other point (think of the rest position of the point on the string as ##y##).
 
olivermsun said:
Your formulas under 2. are just for the displacement ##x## of a single point on the strong. There's no notion of the "midpoint" or any other point (think of the rest position of the point on the string as ##y##).

Sorry, I am unsure on what you mean. I understand your first point, just not about the midpoint.
 
Apothem said:
Question: "The midpoint of a guitar string oscillates with an amplitude of 2.24mm with a frequency of 400Hz. Calculate:
i) The maximum speed at this point
ii) The maximum acceleration of the string at this point"
...
However for part ii) I am a bit unsure, do I take x to be the amplitude, but at the midpoint would x not be 0, so the acceleration is 0 ms-2?
Maybe I misunderstood what you posted earlier, but I think there is some confusion between the "midpoint" along the string (where x(t), v(t), and a(t) are given) and the "midpoint" of the oscillation (the rest position of the point, or where x=0).
 
olivermsun said:
Maybe I misunderstood what you posted earlier, but I think there is some confusion between the "midpoint" along the string (where x(t), v(t), and a(t) are given) and the "midpoint" of the oscillation (the rest position of the point, or where x=0).
Yes, clearly the question means midpoint along the length of the string. It does look like Apothem has misinterpreted it as midpoint of oscillation.
Apothem, x is not the amplitude, it is the displacement at time t. The amplitude is the maximum displacement.
 
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