A transverse wave on a stretched string is described by y(x,t)=0.05 ; ( 2 0.40 x-50 t )

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Waves · Waves

Problem

A transverse wave on a stretched string is described by y(x,t)=0.05  sin⁡(2π0.40x−50πt) my(x,t)=0.05\;\sin\bigl(\tfrac{2\pi}{0.40}x-50\pi t\bigr)\,\text{m} where xx is in metres and tt in seconds. (i) Calculate the instantaneous displacement of the particle at x=0.10 mx=0.10\,\text{m} and t=0.015 st=0.015\,\text{s}. (ii) Determine the instantaneous velocity of this particle at the same instant. (iii) Find the instantaneous acceleration of the particle at the same instant. (iv) Compare the magnitude of the particle’s instantaneous velocity with the speed of the wave and state which is greater at that instant.

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