What is the Amplitude of a Standing Wave on a Guitar String?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the amplitude of a standing wave on a guitar string vibrating in its fundamental mode, with a given length of 0.386 m. The maximum transverse acceleration is 9000 m/s², and the maximum transverse velocity is 3.00 m/s. The user derived the wave function and related equations to find the amplitude, concluding that A = 0.00100 m or 1.00 x 10^-3 m. The calculations were confirmed as correct, noting that maximum velocity and acceleration occur at the midpoint of the string. The user sought validation for their solution, which was affirmed by others in the discussion.
General_Sax
Messages
445
Reaction score
0

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 0.386 m. The maximum transverse acceleration of a point at the middle of the segment is 9000 m/s^2 and the maximum transverse velocity is 3.00 m/s.


Homework Equations


y(x,t) = A*sin(kx)*sin(wt)

dy(x,t)/dt = A*w*sin(kx)*sin(wt)

d^2y(x,t)/dt^2 = -A*w^2*sin(kx)*sin(wt)


The Attempt at a Solution



I equated the max velocity with the secound derivative of the stading wave function.

3.00 = A*w*sin(kx)cos(wt)

Quick question: The x in the equation refers to the location on the string, not the
displacement of the string from equilibrium correct?

2nd question: is max velocity still at displacement = 0, and max acceleration at x =
1*amplitude?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From here I tried to solve for k, first by solving for lambda.

lambda = 2L/n

lambda = 2L (because n = 1, because (sorry) f = fundamental frequency

lambda = 0.772 m

from there I solved for k

k = 2pi/lambda

k = 8.1388 /m

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

using this I solved for w (omega) using w = v*k

I used max velocity for this equation

w = 24.417/s

now, does the fact this is MAX velocity effect the caluculation?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I failed at solving for t, and I don't want to waste your time, so I won't repeat my
attempts here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From there I subbed the values into the equation and attempted to solve for A
(amplitude).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I've thought about this question a little more. If velocity and acceleration are maxed, then the cos/sin values must be equal to one. So, I've done this work:





1: A*w = 3.00
2: A*w^2 = 9000

1: w = 3.00/A

subbing into 2

A*(3.00/A)^2 = 9000

then:

9.00/A = 9000

A = 9.00/9000

A = 0.00100m = 1.00*10^-3 m

Does this look correct to you learned folk? I only ask because there is no answer in the textbook.
 
It is correct, as both the maximum acceleration and maximum speed occurs at the same place, at the middle of the string. Was it the maximum amplitude the question?

ehild
 
Oh, yes it was, sorry. Thanks for the help.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...

Similar threads

Back
Top