The speed of a waves on a string in Simple harmonic motion

In summary: The vertical displacement amplitude is assumed to be small in those derivations, so the tension in the string is not affected (in magnitude) by the wave passing by. Does that help?
  • #1
annamal
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The speed of a wave in simple harmonic motion on a string is $$v= \sqrt{\frac{F}{\mu}}$$ where v= the horizontal velocity of the wave on a string.
Is the F the horizontal force or the resultant force (combination of Fy and Fx)?
 
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  • #2
annamal said:
The speed of a wave in simple harmonic motion on a string is $$v= \sqrt{\frac{F}{\mu}}$$ where v= the horizontal velocity of the wave on a string.
Is the F the horizontal force or the resultant force (combination of Fy and Fx)?
That "F" is the Tension force:

1663170680261.png

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Waves/string.html
 
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  • #3
berkeman said:
Yes, I know that F is the tension but is F the tension of the string in the x direction or is F the tension that is tangent to the string.

My book derives it like this, implying that F is the tension of the string in the x direction
Screen Shot 2022-09-14 at 12.10.08 PM.png
 
  • #4
annamal said:
The speed of a wave in simple harmonic motion on a string is $$v= \sqrt{\frac{F}{\mu}}$$ where v= the horizontal velocity of the wave on a string.
Is the F the horizontal force or the resultant force (combination of Fy and Fx)?
It does not matter. To the approximation that is used to derive the wave equation, the difference is negligible.
 
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  • #7
Orodruin said:
It does not matter. To the approximation that is used to derive the wave equation, the difference is negligible.
Ok, not sure how the tension in the x direction can be approximated as the resultant tension
 
  • #8
annamal said:
Ok, not sure how the tension in the x direction can be approximated as the resultant tension
The vertical displacement amplitude is assumed to be small in those derivations, so the tension in the string is not affected (in magnitude) by the wave passing by. Does that help?
 
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  • #9
For a typical steel string guitar a 2mm displacement at the midway point translates into an increase in string tension on the order of one part in one thousand. So it's a pretty good approximation to just assume that the tension doesn't change. Then you can focus on the vertical force and come up with a straightforward equation for the speed of the wave.
 

FAQ: The speed of a waves on a string in Simple harmonic motion

1. What is simple harmonic motion?

Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from equilibrium. This means that the motion follows a sinusoidal pattern, with the object oscillating back and forth around a central point.

2. How is the speed of a wave on a string in simple harmonic motion calculated?

The speed of a wave on a string in simple harmonic motion is calculated using the formula v = √(T/μ), where v is the speed, T is the tension in the string, and μ is the linear mass density of the string.

3. Does the speed of a wave on a string in simple harmonic motion depend on the amplitude of the wave?

No, the speed of a wave on a string in simple harmonic motion is independent of the amplitude of the wave. This means that the speed remains constant regardless of how far the string is displaced from equilibrium.

4. How does the speed of a wave on a string in simple harmonic motion change with the tension in the string?

The speed of a wave on a string in simple harmonic motion is directly proportional to the tension in the string. This means that as the tension increases, the speed of the wave also increases.

5. Can the speed of a wave on a string in simple harmonic motion be changed by altering the mass of the string?

Yes, the speed of a wave on a string in simple harmonic motion is inversely proportional to the square root of the linear mass density of the string. This means that increasing the mass of the string will decrease the speed of the wave.

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