PHYSICS 1

Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.

student at the Vaal University of Technology
2- The displacement of a vibrating string versus position along the string is shown in the figure. The periodic waves have
a speed of 10cm/s. A and B are two points on the string. The wave is movi ng in the positive x direction.
a) What is the amplitude of the wave?
b) What is the wavelength of the wave?
c) What is the frequency of the wave?
d) What is the equation of this wave?

DATA:
v 10
cm
s
:=
SOLUTION:
a) A 4cm =
b) 13.5cm 7.5cm - 6 cm = :=
c) f
v

:= f 1.667 Hz =
d) y A sin 2 f t
2 x

-
|

\
|
|
.
= calculator in radian mode
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
3- The periodic wave is produced on a stretched string. Which one of the following properties is not related to the
speed of the wave?
SOLUTION:
Amplitude
4- The speed of soud in a certain metal block is 3.00x10
3
m/s. The graph shows the amplitude (in meters) of a wave
traveling through the block versus time (in milliseconds). What is the wavelength of this wave?

DATA:
v 3 10
3

m
s
:=

SOLUTION:
T 2.5 10
3 -
s 0.5 10
3 -
s - 2 10
3 -
s = :=
v T := 6 m =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
10- A wave traveling at 5.5m/s on a string with a linear density of 0.082kg/m. What is the tension in the string?
DATA:
v 5.5
m
s
:= 0.082
kg
m
:=
SOLUTION:
v
F
m
L
=
m
L
=
v
F

=
solve F ,
explicit
v
2

F v
2
:= F 2.481 N =
11- The intensity of a spherical wave 4.0 m from the source is 120 W/m
2
. What is the intensity at a point 9.0 m away
from the source?
DATA:
r
1
4m := I
1
120
W
m
2
:= r
2
9m :=
SOLUTION:
P I
1
4 r
1
2
= I
2
4 r
2
2
=
I
1
4 r
1
2
I
2
4 r
2
2
=
solve I
2
,
explicit
I
1
r
1
2

r
2
2

I
2
I
1
r
1
2

r
2
2
:= I
2
23.704
W
m
2
=
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
12- The decibel level of a jackhammer is 130 dB relative to the threshold of hearing. Determine the sound intensity
produced by the jackhammer.
dB 1
DATA:
130dB := I
o
1 10
12 -

W
m
2
:= constant value
SOLUTION:
10dB ( ) log
I
I
o
|

\
|
|
.
=
solve I ,
explicit
10

10 dB
I
o

I 10

10 dB
I
o
:= I 10
W
m
2
=
14- A wave causes a displacement y t hat is given i n meters according to y=0.67sin(t-5x), where t and x are
expressed in seconds and meters, respectively. Determine the Amplitude, frequency, period, wavelength, and speed
of the wave. Is the wave traviling in the positive or negative x-direction?
DATA:
y 0.67 sin t 5 x - ( ) =
SOLUTION:
y A sin t k x - ( ) =
A 0.67 :=
rad
s
:= k 5 m
1 -
:=
2 f =
solve f ,
explicit

f

2
:= f
1
2
Hz =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
T
1
f
:= T 2 s =
k
2

=
solve ,
explicit
2
k

2
k
:=
2
5
m =
v f := v 0.2
m
s
=
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
Conceptual questions:
3- Suppose that a longitudinal wave moves along a Slinky at a speed of 5m/s. Does one coil of the Slinky move
through a distance of 5m in one second? Justify your answer.
SOLUTION:
No it will not. The coil will only move backwards and forwards a little bit, not 5 m unless it is a wave with a very large
amplitude. Typically, the energy will travel down the wave at 5 m/s, but the coil will not.
9- In a traveling sound wave, are there any particles that are always at rest as the wave passes by? Justify your
answer.
SOLUTION:
No. Sound waves in air are longitudinal waves. In a traveling longitudinal wave, each particle executes sinusoidal motion
with time in a direction parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave. See first source. Only in a standing wave are
there places where the particles of air are stationary.
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
Problems:
1- Light is an electromagnetic wave and travels at a speed of 3.00x10
8
m/s. The human eye is most sensitive to
yellow-green light, which has a wavelength of 5.45x10
-7
m. What is the frequency of this light?
DATA:
v 3 10
8

m
s
:= 5.45 10
7 -
m :=
SOLUTION:
v f =
solve f ,
explicit
v

f
v

:= f 5.505 10
14
Hz =
2- A woman is standing in the ocean, and she notices that after a wave crest passes, five more crests pass in a time
of 50.0s. The distance between two successive crests is 32m. Determine, if possible, the wave's.
(a) period, (b) frequency, (c) wavelength, (d) speed, and (e) amplitude. If is not possble to determine any of these
quantities, then so state.
DATA:
k 5 := t 50s := 32m :=
SOLUTION:
a ( ) T
t
k
:= T 10s =
b ( ) f
1
T
:= f 0.1 Hz =
c ( ) 32m := 32m =
d ( ) v f := v 3.2
m
s
=
e ( ) A "amplitude which is not possible" :=
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
2- The speed of a transverse wave on a string is 450m/s, and the wavelength is 0.18m. The amplitude of the wave is
2.0 mm. How much time is required for a particle of the string to move through a total distance of 1.0 km?
DATA:
v 450
m
s
:= 0.18m := A 2mm := Dist_string 1km :=
SOLUTION:
If the amplitude of the wave
2.0mm during one cycle a point
on the string will move from crest
to trough back to crest for a total
cycle_Dist 4 2 mm := cycle_Dist 8 mm =
v f =
solve f ,
explicit
v

f
v

:= f 2500 Hz =
during each second a point on the
string will move
v
string
cycle_Dist f := v
string
20
m
s
=
Dist v
string
t =
solve t ,
explicit
Dist
v
string

t
Dist_string
v
string
:= t 5 10
1
s =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
12- A wire is stretched between two posts. Another wire is stretched between two posts that are twice as far apart.
The tension in the wires is the same, and they have the same mass. A transverse wave travels on the shorter wire a
speed of 240 m/s. What would be the speed of the wave on the longer wire?
DATA:
v
1
240
m
s
:=
SOLUTION:
v
1
F
m
L
1
=
F

1
=

1
m
L
1
=

2
m
L
2
=

1

2
=
m
2 L
1

m
L
2
=
1
2

1

2
=
v
2
F
m
L
2
=
F

2
=
2 F

1
= 2
F

1
= 2 v
1
=
v
2
2 v
1
:= v
2
339.411
m
s
=
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
13- The middle C string on pioano is under a tension of 944N. The period and wavelength of ware on this string are
3.82 ms and 1.26 m, respectively. Find the linear density of the string.
DATA:
F 944N := T 3.82 10
3 -
s := 1.26m :=
SOLUTION:
v
F
m
L
=
F

=
v

T
=
v v =
F

T
=
solve ,
explicit
F T
2

F T
2

2
:= 8.68 10
3 -

kg
m
=
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
14- The mass of string is 5.0x10
-3
kg, and it is stretched so that the tension in it is 180N. A transverse ware traveling
on this string has a frequency of 260Hz and a wavelegth of 0.60m. What is the length of the string?
DATA:
m
o
5 10
3 -
kg := F 180N := f 260Hz := 0.60m :=
SOLUTION:
v
F
m
o
L
=
v f =
v v =
F
m
o
L
f =
solve L ,
explicit

2
f
2
m
o

2
f
2
m
o

F
:= L 0.676 m =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
15- Two wires are parallel , and one is directly above the other. Each has a length of 50.0 m and a mass per unit
length of 0.020kg/m. Hower, the tension in wire A is 6.00x10
2
N, and the tension in wire B is 3.00x10
2
N. Transverse
wave pulses are generated simultaneously,one at the left end of wire A and one at right end of wire B. The pul ses
travel toward each other. How much ti me does it take unt il the pulses pass each other?
DATA:
50m := 0.020
kg
m
:= F
A
6 10
2
N := F
B
3 10
2
N :=
SOLUTION:
v
F

=
v
t

T
=
solve T ,
explicit

v
t

T

v
t
=
T

v
A
v
B
+
=
T

F
A

F
B

+
:= T 0.17s =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
22- The displacement (in meters) of a wave is given accord to y= 0.26 sin (-3.7x), where t is in seconds and x is in
meters.
(a) Is the wave traveling in the +x or -x direction?
(b) What is the displacement y when t= 38 s and x= 13 m?
DATA:
y 0.26 sin 3 x - ( ) =
A 0.26m :=
rad
s
:= k 3.7 - m
1 -
:=
SOLUTION:
a) y 0.26 sin 3 x - ( ) = wave travel in the +x direction
b) t 38s := x 13m :=
2 f =
solve f ,
explicit

2
NB: y A sin t k x - ( ) = wave travel in the +x direction
y A sin t k x + ( ) = wave travel in the -x direction
f

2
:= f
1
2
Hz =

2 sec
k
:= 0.541 - m s =
y x t , ( ) A sin k x t - ( ) :=
y 13m 38s , ( ) 0.08 - m =
or
y A sin k x t - ( ) := y 0.08 - m =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
23- A wave traveling in the +x direction has an amplitude of 0.35 m, a speed of 5.2m/s, and a frequency of 14 Hz. Write
the equation of the wave in form given by either Equation 16.3 or 16.4 .
DATA:
A 0.35m := v 5.2
m
s
:= f 14Hz :=
SOLUTION:
y A sin t k x - ( ) =
2 f := 87.965
rad
s
=

v
f
:= 0.371 m =
k
2

:= k 16.916 m
1 -
=
y 0.35m sin 87.965
rad
s
t 16.916 m
1 -
x -
|

\
|
|
.
=
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
24- The drawing shows two graphs that represent a transverse wave on a string. The wave is moving in t he x direction.
Using the information contained in these graphs, write the mathematical expression (similar to Equation 16.3 or 16.4)
for the wave.
SOLUTION:

y A sin t k x - ( ) =
From the graph
A 0.010m := 0.040m := T 0.20s :=
f
1
T
:= f 5 Hz =
2 f := 10
rad
s
=
k
2

:= k 50 m
1 -
=
y 0.010m sin 2 f t 50 m
1 -
x -
( )
=
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
58- A middle-aged man typically has poorer hearing than a middle-aged woman. In one case a woman can just begin
to hear a musical tone, while a man can just begin to hear the tone only when its intensity level in increased by 7.8 dB
relative to that for the woman. What is the ratio of the sound intensity just detected by the man to that just detected by
the woman?
DATA:
7.8dB :=
SOLUTION:
Let the man hear Intensity I
1
and the woman I
2
10 dB log
I
1
I
2
|

\
|
|
.
=
The ratio of the sound intensity is the
I
1
I
2
|

\
|
|
.

10 dB log Ratio ( ) =
solve Ratio ,
explicit
10

10 dB

Ratio 10

10 dB
:= Ratio 6.026 =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
59- An amplif ied guitar has a sound int ensity l evel that i s 14 dBgreater than the same unamplified sound. What is the
ratio of theamplified intensity to the unamplified intensity?
DATA:
14dB :=
SOLUTION:
10 dB log
I
1
I
2
|

\
|
|
.
=
The ratio of the sound intensity is the
I
1
I
2
|

\
|
|
.

10 dB log Ratio ( ) =
solve Ratio ,
explicit
10

10 dB

Ratio 10

10 dB
:= Ratio 25.119 =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
61- When a person wears a hearing aid, the sound intensity level increases by 30.0 dB. By what factor does the sound
intensity increase?
DATA:
30dB :=
SOLUTION:
10 dB log
I
I
o
|

\
|
|
.
=
solve I ,
explicit
10

10 dB
I
o

10 dB log Ratio ( ) =
solve Ratio ,
explicit
10

10 dB

Ratio 10

10 dB
:= Ratio 1000 =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
Tutorial questions:
1- The thunder from a lightning flash is heard 8.0 s after the flash is seen. How far away is the lightning? The
speed of sound is 343 m/s.
DATA:
T 8s := v 343
m
s
:=
SOLUTION:
f
1
T
:= f
1
8
Hz =
v T := 2744 m =
2- A certain loudspeaker has a circular opening with an area of 30 cm
2
. Assume that the sound i t emits is uniform
and through this entire opening. If the sound intensity at the opening is 2x10
-4
W/m
2
, how much power is being
radiated as sound?
DATA:
A 30cm
2
:= I 2 10
4 -

W
m
2
:=
SOLUTION:
I
P
A
=
solve P ,
explicit
A I
P A I := P 6 10
7 -
W =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
3- A beam of sound has an intensity of 3x10
6
W/m
2
. What is the intensity level in decibels?
DATA:
I 3 10
6

W
m
2
:= I
o
1 10
12 -

W
m
2
:=
SOLUTION:
10dB log
I
I
o
|

\
|
|
.
:= 184.771 dB =
4- What is the intensity level in decibels for a sound that has an intensity of 0.70 W/m
2
?
DATA:
I 0.70
W
m
2
:= I
o
1 10
12 -

W
m
2
:=
SOLUTION:
10dB log
I
I
o
|

\
|
|
.
:= 118.451 dB =
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
5- What is the sound intensity at a location where the sound level is 23dB ?
DATA:
23dB := I
o
1 10
12 -

W
m
2
:=
SOLUTION:
10dB log
I
I
o
|

\
|
|
.
=
solve I ,
explicit
10

10 dB
I
o

I 10

10 dB
I
o
:= I 2 10
10 -

W
m
2
=
PHYSICS 1
Solution by DF Sozinando Mechanical Eng.
student at the Vaal University of Technology
6- A certain string has a linear mass density of 0.25 kg.m
-1
and is stretched with a tension of 25 N. One end is
given a sinusoidal motion with a frequency of 5Hz and amplitude 0.01 m. At time t =0 end has zero displacement
and is moving in the +x-direction. (a) Find the wave speed, period and wavelength of this wave. (b) write a function
describing the wave (i.e. a mathematical description of the wave).
DATA:
0.25
kg
m
:= F 25N := f 5Hz := A 0.01m :=
SOLUTION:
v
F
m
o
L
=
v
F

:= v 10
m
s
=
T
1
f
:= T 0.2 s =
v T := 2 m =
y A sin t k x - ( ) =
2 f := 2 5
rad
s
=
k
2

:= k 2

2
m
1 -
=
y 0.01 sin 2 5 t
2x
2
-
|

\
|
|
.
=