What is the Velocity and Acceleration of a Transverse Wave on a Stretched Cord?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the velocity and acceleration of a transverse wave on a stretched cord, given specific parameters such as frequency, amplitude, tension, and linear density. The initial calculations for wave velocity yielded 34 m/s, and the wavelength was determined to be 0.14 m. However, the calculated particle velocity was 35 m/s, which contradicted the textbook answer of 41 m/s. It was suggested that the discrepancy arose from not including a phase angle in the wave equation, which is necessary due to the initial conditions of displacement and velocity. Incorporating the phase angle resolved the issue and aligned the calculations with the textbook answer.
Eternal Sky
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Homework Statement


The left-hand end of a long horizontal stretched cord oscillates transversely in SHM with frequency f = 250 Hz and amplitude 2.6 cm. The cord is under a tension of 140 N and has a linear density \mu = 0.12 kg/m. At t = 0, the end of the cord has an upward displacement 1.6 cm and is falling. What is the velocity and acceleration at t = 2.0 seconds at a point on the string that is 1.00 m from the left-hand end?



Homework Equations


v_{y} = -D_{M} \omega \cos (kx - \omega t)

v = \sqrt{\frac{F_{T}}{\mu}}

v = \lambda f



The Attempt at a Solution


I determined the wave velocity using the equation,
v = \sqrt{\frac{F_{T}}{\mu}} = \sqrt{\frac{140 N}{.12 kg/m}} = 34 m/s

I used this to find the wavelength \lambda,

\lambda = \frac{v}{f} = \frac{34 m/s}{250 Hz} = 0.14 m

So, in the equation for the velocity of the particle,

k = \frac{2\pi}{\lambda} = 45/m

\omega = 2\pi f = 1570/s

Therefore, the equation for the particle velocity should be,

v = -(0.026 m)(1570/s)\cos[(45/m)(1.00 m) - (1570/s)(2.0 s)]
v = 35 m/s

However, the book says that the answer is 41 m/s. Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong? Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Eternal Sky said:

Homework Equations


v_{y} = -D_{M} \omega \cos (kx - \omega t)

Since initially, at x=0, the displacement is neither zero nor at a maximum, this equation should be modified to include a phase, i.e.

cos(kx - ωt + φ)

Use the initial displacement and velocity at x=0 to determine φ.

Looks like you have the right idea otherwise.
 
Yes, adding the phase angle made everything work out correctly.

Thanks for your help!
 
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