Question

On a very long flexible string, a sinusoidal wave train is described by

y(x, t) = (3.0 cm) sin((π/2 cm−1)x − (4π s−1)t)

where y is the upward or downward displacement of each bit of string from its equilibrium level, and x is the horizontal distance on the string.

a. Are the waves heading towards the +x direction or x direction? How can you tell?

b. What is the speed v of the wave?

c. In one second, how many complete oscillations does a single point on the string execute? In other words, if you were looking at a point at a fixed horizontal position on the string, how many cycles does this point go through in one second?

d. Draw the wave at t=0s. Draw it again at t=0.25s. What do you notice about it?

Answer 1