Chapter 16: Problem 39
Two sinusoidal waves of the same period, with amplitudes of \(5.0\) and \(7.0 \mathrm{~mm}\), travel in the same direction along a stretched string; they produce a resultant wave with an amplitude of \(9.0 \mathrm{~mm}\). The phase constant of the \(5.0 \mathrm{~mm}\) wave is \(0 .\) What is the phase constant of the \(7.0 \mathrm{~mm}\) wave?
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding the Problem
Reviewing Wave Superposition
Setting Up the Equation
Solve for Cosine of Phase Difference
Finding the Phase Constant
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Sinusoidal Waves
- Position with respect to time: \( y(t) = A \sin(\omega t + \phi) \)
- Where \( A \) is the amplitude, \( \omega \) is the angular frequency, and \( \phi \) is the phase constant.
Sinusoidal waves have specific properties that make them unique:
- Amplitude (\( A \)): The peak value of the wave; determines the maximum displacement from the rest position.
- Period (\( T \)): The time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave.
- Frequency (\( f \)): The number of cycles per unit of time, typically measured in hertz (Hz).
- Phase constant (\( \phi \)): This determines the wave's initial displacement at \( t = 0 \), influencing the wave's starting point.
Phase Constants
- Definition: The phase constant, often denoted by \( \phi \), is a measure of the initial angle of the sinusoidal function at \( t = 0 \).
- Impact on Wave: The phase constant alters the starting point of the wave and shifts the wave along the time axis. A wave with a phase constant of zero starts at the origin in a plot of its waveform, while a wave with a phase constant will start elsewhere.
- Superposition: During wave superposition, the phase difference between two waves is essential. It determines whether the waves will interfere constructively or destructively:
- Constructive interference occurs when their phase difference is such that peaks and troughs align, creating a larger resultant wave.
- Destructive interference happens when peaks and troughs misalign, reducing the resultant wave's amplitude.
Resultant Amplitude
- Equation: The formula for calculating the resultant amplitude of two sinusoidal waves with amplitudes \( A_1 \) and \( A_2 \) is:\[ A = \sqrt{A_1^2 + A_2^2 + 2A_1A_2\cos(\Delta\phi)} \]
- This formula accounts for both the amplitudes of the individual waves and their phase difference \( \Delta\phi \).
- Significance of \( \Delta\phi \): The phase difference between the waves is crucial. It influences whether the waves will add up constructively (resulting in a larger amplitude) or destructively (potentially reducing the amplitude).