How Do You Calculate Maximum Displacement and Speed in a Standing Wave?

In summary, the wave function for a standing wave on a string is described as y(x, t) = 0.022 sin 4πx cos 54πt, where y and x are in meters and t is in seconds. To find the maximum displacement and maximum speed at different positions on the string, we can use the equation yn(x,t) = Ansin(knx)cos(wnt+δn) and solve for y(x,t) by plugging in the given values for x. For the velocity, we can use the equation for position to find the velocity by taking the derivative of the position equation. It is important to note that Webassign may have a specific range of acceptable answers and may require more decimal
  • #1
xsc614
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Homework Statement


The wave function for a standing wave on a string is described by y(x, t) = 0.022 sin 4πx cos 54πt, where y and x are in meters and t is in seconds. Determine the maximum displacement and maximum speed of a point on the string at the following positions.

x=0.1m, 0.25m, 0.3m, 0.5m
Find Ymax and Vmax at these points on the string.

Homework Equations


An(x)=Ansinknx (Amplitude of a string vibrating in its nth node)
Wave equation for a standing wave in the nth harmonic motion: yn(x,t) = Ansin(knx)cos(wnt+δn)
Kind of unsure on the equations for this problem.

The Attempt at a Solution


I assumed the maximum displacement would occur at t=0 when the cosine part of the equation equalled one. I plugged in the x values for the different points and solved for y, but did not get the correct answer. Read the entire chapter of the book and it is pretty vague and gives no example problems on calculating max displacement and max velocity like this
 
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  • #2
What you explained makes sense to me... can you show your work including the numbers?
 
  • #3
y(x, t) = 0.022 sin 4πx cos 54π

y(x, t) = 0.022 sin 4πx (1)

y(x, t) = 0.022 sin (4π(.1m)) (1)

y(x, t) = .021 m

Answer came back as incorrect. That π character is pi if you can't tell.
 
  • #4
Update: I used this method for all other points of (x) and got the right answers. Maybe webassign is just not accepting the right amount of sig figs or something...

I got 0 for x=0.25m and 0.5m for max displacement, so the velo's were 0 m/s... but since cos(54pi*t) =1, how do you solve for t to get the velocities for the other values of x?
 
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  • #5
From what I've heard, Webassign checks to see if you're within a certain percentage of the right answer, but it shouldn't mark you incorrect for having the wrong number of significant figures. You could try putting in one more decimal place and see if it helps.

For the velocity part of it: you have an equation for position. In general, when you have the position, how do you find velocity from it?
 

FAQ: How Do You Calculate Maximum Displacement and Speed in a Standing Wave?

What is a wave on a string?

A wave on a string is a disturbance that travels along a string, causing the string to vibrate. This wave can be described by its amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and speed.

How does a wave on a string propagate?

A wave on a string propagates through a series of vibrations. As the string is moved up and down, it creates a pattern of high and low points, known as crests and troughs, that travel along the string.

What factors affect the speed of a wave on a string?

The speed of a wave on a string is affected by the tension of the string and the mass per unit length of the string. The higher the tension and the lower the mass per unit length, the faster the wave will travel.

How does the frequency of a wave on a string relate to its wavelength?

The frequency of a wave on a string is inversely proportional to its wavelength. This means that as the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases, and vice versa.

What are some real-life applications of waves on a string?

Waves on a string have various applications in our daily lives, such as in musical instruments like guitars and pianos. They are also used in medical imaging techniques like ultrasound and in communication technologies like fiber optics.

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