Energy and Power of a wave traveling along a string

In summary, when two wires made of the same material are stretched with the second wire having twice the diameter and twice the length, and the tension in the second wire is also twice the tension in the first wire, the fundamental frequency of the first wire is 500 Hz. The fundamental frequency of the second wire is 250 Hz. This is because the velocity and tension in the second wire are both double that of the first wire, leading to a lower frequency.
  • #1
DrunkApple
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Homework Statement


Two wires are made of the same material but
the second wire has twice the diameter and
twice the length of the first wire. When the
two wires are stretched, and the tension in
the second wire is also twice the tension in the
first wire, the fundamental frequency of the
first wire is 500 Hz.
What is the fundamental frequency of the
second wire?
Answer in units of Hz

Homework Equations


[itex]l_{2}[/itex] = 2[itex]l_{1}[/itex]
[itex]r_{2}[/itex] = 2[itex]r_{1}[/itex]
[itex]τ_{2}[/itex] = 2[itex]τ_{1}[/itex]
[itex]f_{1}[/itex] = 500 Hz

The Attempt at a Solution


From the help of others, I got the answer but there is one confusing part.
He said that [itex]\mu_{2}[/itex] = 4[itex]\mu_{1}[/itex], but obviously that's not what I got in the below equations. [itex]v_{2}[/itex] = [itex]\sqrt{.5}v_{1}[/itex] So it was Would you explain how this is so?

[itex]v_{2}[/itex] = [itex]\sqrt{\frac{τ_{2}}{\mu_{2}}}[/itex]
= [itex]\sqrt{\frac{2τ_{1}}{m_{2}/2l_{1}}}[/itex]
= [itex]\sqrt{\frac{4τ_{1}l_{1}}{m_{2}}}[/itex]
= 2[itex]v_{1}[/itex]
 
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  • #2
f_{2} = \frac{v_{2}}{2l_{2}} = \frac{2v_{1}}{4l_{1}} = \frac{f_{1}}{2} = 250 Hz
 

FAQ: Energy and Power of a wave traveling along a string

What is energy and power of a wave traveling along a string?

The energy of a wave traveling along a string refers to the amount of kinetic energy that is transferred from one point to another as the wave moves. Power, on the other hand, refers to the rate at which energy is transferred. Essentially, energy and power are measures of how much work the wave is able to do as it travels along the string.

How is energy and power related to the amplitude of a wave?

The amplitude of a wave is directly proportional to its energy and power. This means that a wave with a larger amplitude will have more energy and power than a wave with a smaller amplitude. This relationship is described by the equation: Energy ∝ Amplitude² and Power ∝ Amplitude².

Can the energy and power of a wave traveling along a string be increased or decreased?

Yes, the energy and power of a wave traveling along a string can be increased or decreased by changing the amplitude of the wave. Increasing the amplitude will result in an increase in energy and power, while decreasing the amplitude will result in a decrease in energy and power.

How does the frequency of a wave affect its energy and power?

The frequency of a wave does not directly affect its energy and power. However, a wave with a higher frequency will have a shorter wavelength, which means the wave will have a higher number of crests passing through a point in a given time. This results in a higher rate of energy transfer, which can be interpreted as a higher power.

What factors can affect the energy and power of a wave traveling along a string?

The main factors that can affect the energy and power of a wave traveling along a string are the amplitude and frequency of the wave. Additionally, the tension and density of the string can also impact the energy and power of the wave. A higher tension will result in a higher amplitude and therefore a higher energy and power, while a higher density will result in a lower amplitude and therefore a lower energy and power.

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