Waves, Sound and Light: Wave Basics

Wave Basics: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 28:

Winston and Michal hold opposite ends of a stretched rope. Winston introduces a 68-cm tall upward-displaced pulse on his end while Michal simultaneously introduces a 42-cm tall upward-displaced pulse on his end. The two pulses meet in the middle of the rope.
a. What is the resultant displacement of the rope when they completely overlap?
b. What would be the resultant displacement of the rope if Michal's pulse was displaced downward?

Audio Guided Solution

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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities and record in an organized manner, often times they can be recorded on the diagram itself. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity (e.g., v = 12.8 m/s, λ = 4.52 m, f = ???).
  • Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

Read About It!

Get more information on the topic of Waves at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

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