Chapter 15: Problem 40
15.40\(\cdot\) A 1.50 -m-long rope is stretched between two supports with a tension that makes the speed of transverse waves 48.0 \(\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) . What are the wavelength and frequency of (a) the fundamental: (b) the second overtone; (c) the fourth harmonic?
Short Answer
Expert verified
(a) Fundamental: wavelength 3.00 m, frequency 16.0 Hz.
(b) Second overtone: wavelength 1.00 m, frequency 48.0 Hz.
(c) Fourth harmonic: wavelength 0.75 m, frequency 64.0 Hz.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Wave Properties
The speed of a wave on a string is given by the formula \( v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu}} \), where \( v \) is the speed of the wave, \( T \) is the tension, and \( \mu \) is the linear mass density. For a string fixed at both ends, the wavelength \( \lambda \) and frequency \( f \) of transverse waves are related by the wave speed: \( v = f \cdot \lambda \). We are given the wave speed is 48.0 m/s and the length of the rope is 1.50 m.
02
Fundamental Frequency (First Harmonic)
For the fundamental frequency, the wavelength \( \lambda_1 \) is twice the length of the rope: \( \lambda_1 = 2 \times 1.50 \text{ m} = 3.00 \text{ m} \). Using the wave speed and wavelength, the frequency \( f_1 \) can be calculated as \( f_1 = \frac{v}{\lambda_1} = \frac{48.0 \text{ m/s}}{3.00 \text{ m}} = 16.0 \text{ Hz} \).
03
Second Overtone Frequency (Third Harmonic)
The second overtone corresponds to the third harmonic, where three half-wavelengths fit into the length of the rope: \( 3 \times \frac{\lambda_3}{2} = 1.50 \text{ m} \). Solving for \( \lambda_3 \), we get \( \lambda_3 = 1.00 \text{ m} \). The frequency \( f_3 \) is then \( f_3 = \frac{v}{\lambda_3} = \frac{48.0 \text{ m/s}}{1.00 \text{ m}} = 48.0 \text{ Hz} \).
04
Fourth Harmonic Frequency
The fourth harmonic, where four half-wavelengths fit into the length of the rope, gives: \( 4 \times \frac{\lambda_4}{2} = 1.50 \text{ m} \). Solving for \( \lambda_4 \), we find \( \lambda_4 = 0.75 \text{ m} \). The frequency \( f_4 \) is calculated as \( f_4 = \frac{v}{\lambda_4} = \frac{48.0 \text{ m/s}}{0.75 \text{ m}} = 64.0 \text{ Hz} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Transverse Waves
Transverse waves are a type of wave where the motion of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave travel. They occur in a variety of physical contexts, including the waves observed on a stretched string or rope, as in the given exercise. When you pluck a guitar string, the wave travels across the string, but the string itself vibrates up and down.
Transverse waves are characterized by properties such as amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and speed:
Transverse waves are characterized by properties such as amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and speed:
- **Amplitude**: The maximum distance from the rest position that particles of the medium move when a wave passes.
- **Wavelength** (\( \lambda \)): The distance between two consecutive similar points of the wave, like crest to crest or trough to trough.
- **Frequency** (\( f \)): The number of complete wave cycles passing a point per unit time, usually per second.
- **Wave Speed** (\( v \)): The speed at which the wave propagates through the medium, given by \( v = f \cdot \lambda \).
Harmonic Frequencies
Harmonic frequencies are specific frequencies at which a medium naturally resonates. They result from standing waves forming along the medium, like the rope in the exercise. These frequencies are integral multiples of the fundamental frequency.
- **Fundamental Frequency (First Harmonic)**: This is the lowest frequency at which the mode of vibration occurs. For the rope, the first harmonic wavelength is twice the rope length, resulting in a frequency of 16 Hz.
- **Second Overtone (Third Harmonic)**: This involves three half-wavelengths fitting into the rope length. The third harmonic hence corresponds to triple the fundamental frequency, calculated to be 48 Hz.
- **Fourth Harmonic**: In this case, four half-wavelengths are accommodated in the rope's length. The frequency is four times that of the fundamental frequency, resulting in 64 Hz.
Wavelength Calculation
Wavelength calculation for waves on a rope or string is integral to determining harmonic frequencies. It requires understanding the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and wave speed. The relationship is given by \( v = f \cdot \lambda \), where \( v \) is the speed, \( f \) is the frequency, and \( \lambda \) is the wavelength.To calculate the wavelength for a specific harmonic frequency:
- Identify the harmonic number. The first harmonic has one antinode and a single loop that is half a wavelength. The third harmonic (second overtone) includes three loops (one-and-a-half wavelengths), and the fourth harmonic contains two complete wavelengths on the rope.
- Use the media's properties: Given the rope's speed of 48 m/s and its length of 1.50 m, the equations illustrate how many antinodes fit within the medium length, guiding the \( \lambda \) calculation.
- For practical problems, matching these calculated wavelengths to real-world phenomena explains the sound produced by string instruments or the patterns seen in vibrational modes.