What is the length of the string?

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The discussion revolves around calculating the length of a string given its mass, tension, and wave speed. The correct formula to use is v = sqrt(T/(m/L)), where m is the mass and L is the length. Participants clarify that mass must be converted to kilograms for proper unit consistency. After some back-and-forth, the correct calculation yields a length of approximately 45.36 meters. The conversation emphasizes the importance of showing work and using correct units in physics problems.
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Homework Statement



A wave along a 15 gram string travels at 756 m/s when it is tightened to 189N?

Homework Equations



V = sqr root T/ m/l

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
I got 3.30 x 10^-4
 
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ThePhysicsXV said:

Homework Statement



A wave along a 15 gram string travels at 756 m/s when it is tightened to 189N?

Homework Equations



V = sqr root T/ m/l

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
I got 3.30 x 10^-4
Welcome to the PF.

That looks kind of small for a length of string... What are the units?

Can you show your work (including units) to solve the equation for the length? :smile:
 
Your result seems the mass per unit length not length.
 
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Guneykan Ozgul said:
Your result seems the mass per unit length not length.
I'm confuse, so what's the correct formula or way to solving for the length?
 
Well, you already knew the formula to calculate the m/L (assuming string is uniform).So you can calculate mass per unit length(m/L) by just puttin v and T into equation. Then you can find L using mass(15 g).
 
Guneykan Ozgul said:
Well, you already knew the formula to calculate the m/L (assuming string is uniform).So you can calculate mass per unit length(m/L) by just puttin v and T into equation. Then you can find L using mass(15 g).
So mass is gram or I have to do it on kg
 
ThePhysicsXV said:
So mass is gram or I have to do it on kg
You should first convert it to kg to be able to express length in meters. If you use gram you find length in terms of centimeters.
 
Guneykan Ozgul said:
You should first convert it to kg to be able to express length in meters. If you use gram you find length in terms of centimeters.
So what's the correct formula?
 
  • #10
ThePhysicsXV said:
So what's the correct formula?
You already wrote it in Post #1.

Just re-arrange it to isolate the length on the lefthand side (LHS) of the equation, and substitute the numbers that you have been given in the problem statement. Be sure to convert to mks units as appropriate.

Please show us your work, and your final solution so that we can check it. :smile:
 
  • #11
I got << Deleted by Mentor >> if no mistake. You should use kg or g depending on your preference to express length.
 
  • #12
Guneykan Ozgul said:
I got L=m/(T/v^2) if no mistake. You should use kg or g depending on your preference to express length.
I got 4.96x10^-6 am I correct?
 
  • #13
Guneykan Ozgul said:
I got << Deleted by Mentor >> if no mistake. You should use kg or g depending on your preference to express length.
Please don't do the student's work for them. That's one of the HH rules. He's almost got it figured out on his own now... :smile:
 
  • #14
ThePhysicsXV said:
I got 4.96x10^-6 am I correct?
Almost certainly not. That length is in meters? Please show your detailed work, including units in your equations.
 
  • #15
berkeman said:
Almost certainly not. That length is in meters? Please show your detailed work, including units in your equations.
L= .015m(189N/756m/s ^2)
 
  • #16
ThePhysicsXV said:
.015m
What's that?
ThePhysicsXV said:
/756m/s ^2
Please use better parenthesis to show what is getting squared and what all the units are...
 
  • #17
ThePhysicsXV said:
I got 4.96x10^-6 am I correct?
I think I see where your error is.

You get that answer if you use the incorrect formula v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\frac{L}{m}}}

Instead of the correct formula that you listed in Post #1 and is in my Hyperphysics link: v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\frac{m}{L}}}
 
  • #18
berkeman said:
I think I see where your error is.

You get that answer if you use the incorrect formula v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\frac{L}{m}}}

Instead of the correct formula that you listed in Post #1 and is in my Hyperphysics link: v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\frac{m}{L}}}
I got L = (mv^2)/T
 
  • #19
ThePhysicsXV said:
I got L = (mv^2)/T
Good. Now plug in the numbers you were given (and show units in square brackets [] or similar to make sure the units of the final answer are right), and solve! :smile:
 
  • #20
berkeman said:
Good. Now plug in the numbers you were given (and show units in square brackets [] or similar to make sure the units of the final answer are right), and solve! :smile:
L= (.015m*756m/s ^2)/(189)
L= 45.36 m
 
  • #21
ThePhysicsXV said:
L= (.015m*756m/s ^2)/(189)
L= 45.36 m
Bingo! :smile:
 
  • #22
berkeman said:
Bingo! :smile:
You sir is the best! Thanks I still have more questions to ask. Related to Waves and Sounds, should I do another post?
 
  • #23
ThePhysicsXV said:
You sir is the best! Thanks
Hey, it was teamwork with @Guneykan Ozgul :smile:
ThePhysicsXV said:
I still have more questions to ask. Related to Waves and Sounds, should I do another post?
Yes please. A new question would go in its own new thread.
 
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