Wavelength & Frequency: Thin to Dense Rope

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of waves as they transition between different media, specifically from a thin rope to a denser rope and vice versa. Participants explore the relationships between wavelength, frequency, and wave speed in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss how wave speed is affected by the medium's density and question how this impacts wavelength and frequency. There is also a consideration of the constancy of frequency as the wave moves through different densities.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes some guidance on the relationship between wave speed, tension, and mass per unit length of the rope. Participants are examining multiple interpretations of how frequency and wavelength change when transitioning between different media.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference a specific test scenario involving a wave traveling through the same rope under different frequency conditions, raising questions about the constancy of wave speed based on the rope's properties.

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When you have a wave traveling through a thin rope and then passing to a denser one, what happens to its wavelength and frequency? What about the opposite process (from heavier to light rope)?
 
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Hint: What happens to the speed of the wave?
 
The speed goes down in the heavier rope. But still, speed equals wavelength times frequency so I don't know which one increases and which one decreases.
 
The frequency, which is a property of the source of the wave, remains constant as the wave encounters different densities.
 
Thanks Doc.
I had a test last week, which had a question that said a wave traveled through a rope and that afterwards, a second experiment was done on the same rope, now passing a wave with double the frequency as in the first experiment. The question was: What is the speed of the second wave as compared to the first?
At first I chose the answer that said it was doubled up but then I thought about it and remembered the formula v = sq.root(tension/u)
So I thought those variables remained constant as it was the same rope, so I finally chose the option that said the speed didn't change.
But I'm not sure if I got it right.
Did I get it right?
 
You got it right: the speed of the wave depends only on the properties of the rope (tension and mass/length). So if those properties don't change, the speed of the wave doesn't change. Good thinking.
 

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