PHYS 105

Traveling Waves and Sound

 Traveling Waves and Sound

Using the graph in Figure shown below, what is the mathematical

description of the wave?
v
(A) , 2 sin 4 y
2 cm
(B) , 2 sin 4
-1 -3 1 3 x (cm)
f = 2 Hz
(C) , 2 sin 4

(D) , 2 sin 2

Answer: , sin ∓
From graph, A = 2 cm,  = 4 cm, propagates in negative x-direction, so “+”,
and f = 2 Hz (T = ½ s)
 , 2 sin 4

#1     1 min
 Traveling Waves and Sound

Using the graph in Figure shown below, What is the maximum speed
of a point on the string?
(A) 9 cm/s v
y
(B) 18 cm/s 1.2 cm
(C) 20 cm/s 1 3 5 7 x (cm)
(D) 25 cm/s f = 1.2 Hz

Answer: 2
From graph, A = 1.2 cm, and f = 1.2 Hz  1.2 2 3.14 1.2 = 9 cm/s

#2     30 s
 Traveling Waves and Sound

If you halve the frequency f of a wave on a string without changing the

tension, what happens to the wave speed v and the wave wavelength λ?

(A) v is doubled and λ is doubled

(B) v is doubled and λ is unchanged
(C) v is unchanged and λ is halved
(D) v is unchanged and λ is doubled
(E) v is halved and λ is unchanged

Answer: / remained constant (the speed of the wave is dependent upon

the properties of the medium, in the case of string, tension and linear density)  if
the  is halved, the frequency f ( ) is doubled.

#3    30 s
 Traveling Waves and Sound

A wave on a string is moving to the right. This graph of y(x, t) versus

coordinate x for a specific time t shows the shape of part of the string
at that time. At this time, the velocity of a particle on the string is
downward at
(A) only one of points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
(B) point 1 and point 4 only
(C) point 2 and point 6 only
(D) point 3 and point 5 only
(E) three or more points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

#4    1 min
 Traveling Waves and Sound

A person sitting in a parked car hears an approaching ambulance siren

at a frequency f1, and as it passes him and moves away he hears a
frequency f2. The actual frequency f of the source is
(A) f1 < f < f2
(B) f < f2
(C) f > f1
(D) f = f2 + f1
(E) f2 < f < f1
Answer:
for approaching source f1 = f/(1  us/v) where 1/(1  us/v) > 1  f < f1
for receding source f2 = f/(1 + us/v) where 1/(1 + us/v) < 1  f > f2
So, f2 < f < f1

#5     1 min