Chapter 4: Problem 1
A pulse of the form \(y=a e^{-b x^{2}}\) is formed in a rope, where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants and \(x\) is in centimeters. Sketch this pulse. Then write an equation that represents the pulse moving in the negative direction at \(10 \mathrm{cm} / \mathrm{s}\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The moving pulse is given by \( y = a e^{-b(x + 10t)^2} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Initial Function
The given function for the pulse is exponential: \( y = a e^{-bx^2} \). It represents a Gaussian function, characterized by its bell-shaped curve, where \( a \) affects the amplitude of the wave and \( b \) affects the spread.
02
Sketching the Pulse
To sketch \( y = a e^{-bx^2} \), note that when \( x = 0 \), \( y = a \), which is the peak. As \( x \) moves away from 0, \( y \) decreases rapidly towards zero due to the \( e^{-bx^2} \) term. The curve is symmetric about the origin.
03
Deriving the Moving Pulse Equation
For a pulse moving in the negative x-direction, substitute \( x + vt \) for \( x \) in the original equation, where \( v \) is the velocity. Here, \( v = 10 \) cm/s and since it's moving in the negative direction, substitute \( x + 10t \). Thus, the equation becomes: \[ y = a e^{-b(x + 10t)^2} \]
04
Final Expression for the Moving Pulse
In the new equation \( y = a e^{-b(x + 10t)^2} \), the \( 10t \) term signifies a shift in the pulse position leftwards over time, at a speed of 10 cm/s. This gives us the equation of the pulse moving in negative x-direction.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Gaussian Pulse
A Gaussian pulse is a specific type of wave that has a shape described by a Gaussian function. This type of wave is most well-known for its smooth, symmetrical, bell-shaped curve. The equation that typically represents a Gaussian pulse is \(y = a e^{-b x^2}\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants:
- \(a\) determines the height of the pulse, also known as the amplitude.
- \(b\) affects how "spread out" the bell curve is.
Wave Motion
Wave motion refers to the transfer of energy through a medium without the permanent displacement of the particles in the medium. In the context of a Gaussian pulse moving through a medium, this means the pulse or wave travels without carrying material along with it.
- In wave motion, particles of the medium oscillate around a fixed point, passing energy to neighboring particles.
- The wave itself is the disturbance that travels, carrying energy from one place to another.
Exponential Function
The exponential function is a mathematical function of the form \(e^x\). It's a crucial part of the equation \(y = a e^{-b x^2}\) used to describe a Gaussian pulse.
- In our context, \(e^{-b x^2}\) gives the pulse its distinct bell-shaped appearance.
- As \(x\) moves away from zero, \(e^{-b x^2}\) decreases rapidly, ensuring that the pulse decays to zero swiftly.
Amplitude
Amplitude, denoted by \(a\) in the Gaussian pulse equation, is a measure of the wave's height, or the maximum displacement from its position of equilibrium.
- In our equation \(y = a e^{-b x^2}\), \(a\) sets the peak value of the wave.
- The larger the \(a\), the taller the wave's peak, and thus, the more energy it carries.
Velocity
Velocity refers to the speed and direction in which a wave pulse travels through a medium. In our scenario, we have a Gaussian pulse moving in the negative x-direction with a velocity of \(10\) cm/s.
- To express this mathematically, we modify the equation to account for motion: \(y = a e^{-b(x + 10t)^2}\).
- The term \(10t\) indicates that the wave moves leftwards (negative x-direction) as time \(t\) increases.