Standing waves (graphing) homework question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on understanding standing waves and their relationship to wavelength and time periods. Specifically, it addresses a scenario where point C travels a distance of one wavelength in time T and the fractions of wavelength covered when point C coincides with points A and B. The wavelength is established as 6 units, leading to the conclusion that when point C meets point B, it covers 1 full period T, and when it meets point A, it covers an additional 1/4 of T. The distance between points C and B is calculated as 13 squares, equating to two wavelengths plus 1/6 of a wavelength.

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  • Knowledge of wavelength and time period concepts
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  • Basic skills in interpreting fractions in the context of wave motion
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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)
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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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