Standing wave transverse motion and amplitude

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a guitar string vibrating in its fundamental mode, focusing on the calculation of the amplitude of the standing wave based on given parameters such as maximum transverse acceleration and velocity. The subject area includes wave mechanics and harmonic motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the amplitude using the relationship between maximum acceleration and angular frequency, but expresses uncertainty about calculating the value of ω. Some participants question the appropriateness of the wave equation used, suggesting it may not apply to standing waves.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided guidance on focusing on the middle of the string and simplifying the equations by eliminating terms related to the spatial variable. There is an ongoing exploration of how to relate the maximum values of velocity and acceleration to the amplitude, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the fixed ends of the guitar string and the implications for the wave behavior, as well as the need to solve for ω with the provided information. The discussion reflects constraints related to the original poster's understanding of the wave mechanics involved.

Declan Purdy
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Homework Statement


A guitar string is vibrating in its fundamental mode, with nodes at each end. The length of the segment of the string that is free to vibrate is 0.381m. The maximum transverse acceleration of a point at the middle of the segment is 8600 m/s and the max. transverse velocity is 3.4m/s.

What is the amplitude of the standing wave?

Homework Equations


y(x,t)=Asin(kx)sin(ωt)

The Attempt at a Solution


I calculated the wavelength of the fundamental frequency as 2L = 0.762

I then calculated k by 2π/λ = 8.246

I found the first partial derivative as
∂y(x,t)/∂t = ωAsin(kx)cos(ωt) = 3.4ms-1

Then i found the second partial derivative of y(x,t) as
2y(x,t)/∂t2 = -ω2Asin(kx)sin(ωt)Which is the same as -ω2y(x,t),
I know that y(x,t) will be the amplitide at the max acceleration, so 8600ms-2 = -ω2A
I'm not sure where to go from here as I don't know how to calculate a value for ω with the given information
 
Last edited:
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What is the expression for the maximum velocity?
 
∂y/∂t = ωAsin(kx)cos(ωt) = 3.4ms-1
 
Last edited:
The relevant equation you wrote is a traveling wave. The guitar string fixed at both ends exhibits standing waves.
 
Chandra Prayaga said:
The relevant equation you wrote is a traveling wave. The guitar string fixed at both ends exhibits standing waves.
Oh yes, thank you.
It is edited now but I am still at the same problem of solving for omega.
 
You are only interested in the middle of the string where sin(kx) = 1, so you can get rid of that.

They give you the max velocity and the max acceleration. The maximums occur when the trig functions = 1, so you can get rid of those. Substitute in the given values and you will have two simple equations in two unknowns. Solve algebraically.
 

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