Transverse Wave on a String

Wave speed depends on properties of medium:

 For a string, will see v  T / 
o T is string tension
o  is mass/unit length (i.e. linear density)

 to see, apply 2nd law to element of string (red) in frame moving left with crest
at speed v
o In this frame: string element s near crest moves around circular arc of
radius R (don’t actually know R)
 Define  as half of angle subtended by arc s of radius R:
o Properties of string element are then:
 Length: s  R  2
 Mass: m    R  2

 Force on element is due to tension T at ends

o Radial component of force is FR  2T sin   2T for small  (in radians)

 Centripetal acceleration of element is acent  v / R

2

 Newton’s 2nd law says FR  m acent

o So: 2T    R  2  v / R
2
  Cancel  and R (didn’t know anyway) to get v  T / 

o Says: for wave on string, v :
2

 Increases with tension → tighter string, faster wave

 Decreases with linear density → heavier string, slower wave

 Assumptions:
o Small amplitude so that small part of crest approximates circular arc
o Tension does not change as wave passes

 BUT:
o Did not assume specific shape
o v  T /  applies to any small (linear) wave on a string
REFLECTION & TRANSMISSION OF WAVES (Important for standing waves)

 What happens when waves (all kinds) meet boundary in medium?

o Fixed end of string (or air column)
o Loose (or free) end of string
o Change in properties of medium

Start by looking at single pulse on string (BUT results are general)

 Fixed boundary
o Reflected pulse: inverted and same
amplitude
 No transmitted pulse

o Understand by 3rd law
 Pulse applies upward force on
(fixed) boundary
 Boundary applies downward force on string

o For sinusoidal wave: result is 180° (i.e. π radian) phase shift
  Free boundary (loose end)

o Reflected pulse: not inverted and
same amplitude
 No transmitted pulse

 Pulse encounters denser medium (larger mass/unit length)

o Reflected pulse: inverted (180°
phase shift) and smaller amplitude
o Transmitted pulse: same sense as
incident

 Pulse encounters less dense medium

o Reflected pulse: not inverted and
smaller amplitude
o Transmitted pulse: same sense as
incident
ENERGY CARRIED (TRANSMITTED) BY A SINUSOIDAL WAVE ON STRING

1 2 1
E 
 Recall: for SHM, mech 2 kA  m  2 2
A
2

 As wave passes, each element of mass

m   x moves in SHM
1
o So for that element: mech 2  x A
 2 2
E

1
 E 
 So mechanical energy in one complete wavelength is: mech 2    2 2
A

 The time it takes for the energy in a length

 of the wave to move past a given point on
the string is t   / v
  Rate of energy transfer ≡ Power = energy passing fixed point per unit time

 So: Emech
P
t
1
 2 A2
 2
 /v
1
  v 2 A2
2

1
 Result P   v 2 A 2
2
o derived for a transverse sinusoidal wave on a string BUT:
o dependence of transmitted P on v ,  , and A2 is general.
2