Question
One end of a long string of linear mass density 8.0 × 10–3 kg m–1is connected to an electrically driven tuning fork of frequency 256 Hz. The other end passes over a pulley and is tied to a pan containing a mass of 90 kg. The pulley end absorbs all the incoming energy so that reflected waves at this end have negligible amplitude. At t = 0, the left end (fork end) of the string x = 0 has zero transverse displacement (y = 0) and is moving along positive y-direction. The amplitude of the wave is 5.0 cm. Write down the transverse displacement y as function of x and t that describes the wave on the string.
Solution
The equation of a travelling wave propagating along the positive y-direction is given by the displacement equation:
y (x, t) = a sin (wt – kx) … (i)
Linear mass density, μ = 8.0 × 10-3 kg m-1
Frequency of the tuning fork, ν = 256 Hz y (x, t) = a sin (wt – kx) … (i)
Linear mass density, μ = 8.0 × 10-3 kg m-1
Amplitude of the wave, a = 5.0 cm
= 0.05 m … (ii)
Mass of the pan, m = 90 kg
Tension in the string, T = mg
= 90 × 9.8
= 882 N
The velocity of the transverse wave v, is given by the relation,
Substituting the values from equations (ii), (iii), and (iv) in equation (i), we get the displacement equation,
y (x, t) = 0.05 sin (1.6 × 103t – 4.84 x) m.
The velocity of the transverse wave v, is given by the relation,
Substituting the values from equations (ii), (iii), and (iv) in equation (i), we get the displacement equation,
y (x, t) = 0.05 sin (1.6 × 103t – 4.84 x) m.
