Question

You and a friend launch waves at opposite ends of the stretched string after class. You shake the string at 5 Hz with a 15 cm amplitude, and your acquaintance shakes the other end at 2 Hz with a 10 cm amplitude. What is the largest (most positive) displacement in cm of the string at any point at any time? Explain. b. Is your wave faster? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

25 cm

same

Explanation:

part a

The maximum possible positive displacement in cm of the string can occur when two waves meet together constructively or their individual amplitude add up: 15 cm + 10 cm = 25 cm

part b

The speed of the wave is the function of medium it travels in. In our case its a string, since the medium is same for both ends hence the wave speed is same throughout the string. Note: increase in Frequency is compensated by decrease in wavelength keeping wave speed constant.