Traveling Waves and wave speed

[sphouxay]

Homework Statement

If the amplitude of the oscillator doubles, what happens to the wavelength and wave speed?

The wavelength doubles but the wave speed is unchanged.
The wavelength is unchanged but the wave speed doubles.
Both wavelength and wave speed are unchanged.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

In this part, I don't believe neither the wavelength or wave speed will change, the amplitude (maximum value of displacement) just double but should not affect the wavelength or speed except where it begins to be measured. Right?

 

[cepheid]

Your intution is correct, but you could solve this problem better if you wrote down some mathematical expression for a waveform that contains the parameters amplitude, wavelength, and wave speed.

 

[Mene]

You are correct. The wavelength and wave speed will remain unchanged when the amplitude of the oscillator doubles. The amplitude only affects the maximum displacement of the wave, not its wavelength or speed. These are determined by the properties of the medium through which the wave travels. Therefore, if the medium remains the same, the wavelength and wave speed will also remain unchanged.