Standing waves (graphing) homework question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding standing waves and their properties, specifically focusing on the relationship between distance traveled by points on the wave and the corresponding fractions of the wavelength and period.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the movement of point C and its position relative to points A and B, questioning how to interpret the fractions of the wavelength in relation to time. There is discussion about using an imaginary timer for a thought experiment.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants attempting to clarify their understanding of the problem. Some guidance has been provided regarding the interpretation of the timer and the distances involved, but multiple interpretations of the distances and fractions are being explored without explicit consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with a diagram that is not fully described, leading to questions about the distances between points and the fractions of wavelengths involved. There is mention of specific measurements, such as the wavelength being 6 units, but the overall setup remains somewhat ambiguous.

jerad908
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Homework Statement
How much time (as a fraction of the waves' period) passes between point C meeting B then A? (Shown Below in attempt)
Relevant Equations
none
FullSizeRender.jpg

Points A b AND C are shown in first diagram
Im confused about question three... I feel like its related to wave length but the fractions are throwing me off.
 
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It is related to the wavelength. Point C travels to the left a distance of one wavelength in time T.
When point C coincides with B, start your timer. What fraction of a wavelength has C covered when it coincides with A? That will tell you what fraction of the period T the timer shows when that happens. Careful!
 
but how would we use a timer if only given a diagram
 
It's an imaginary timer. This is a "thought" experiment.
 
since the wavelength is 6 units and C moves over 6 units to meet B would it just be 1?
 
And then when it meets with point A, it further covers 1/4 of T?
 
jerad908 said:
And then when it meets with point A, it further covers 1/4 of T?
Correct.
 
and just to confirm, when C and B meet, 1/1 T is covered? - (from the very starting position to when C and B have coincided )
 
jerad908 said:
and just to confirm, when C and B meet, 1/1 T is covered?
Not what it looks like to me. What is the distance between C and B? I count 13 squares. How many wavelengths is that?
 
  • #10
Thats two wave lengths plus 1/6 of a wavelength
 

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