Practice question
Question
A string of mass 0.05 kg and length 5 m is under tension. If the speed of a transverse wave is 100 m/s,
what is the tension?
Explanation
**Mechanical waves** require medium and can be transverse or longitudinal. Sound in air is longitudinal since fluids support only compressional motion, while string waves are transverse. Progressive waves transfer energy without net mass transport, distinguishing from standing waves. μ = (mass/length) = (0.05/5) = 0.01 kg/m . v = √((T/μ)) ⇒ 100 = √((T/0.01)) . 100² = (T/0.01) ⇒ T = 10000 × 0.01 = 100 N . Using v = fλ and standing-wave condition fₙ = n v/(2L) or v/(4L) as applicable, calculation yields 100 N, illustrating frequency-length-speed interdependence and quantization by boundaries.
Discussion
Comments
Please log in to join the discussion.
Login to commentNo comments yet. Be the first to start the discussion.