Math Is Fun Forum

Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Need help with physics waves

I need to understand how a certain concept works in order to help me solve my problem. Unfortunately I don't have the accuracy to test this concept in real life!

A transverse wave travels through two different types of connected strings which are horizontal with tension T. One is aluminium, one is steel. The steel string has a higher density than the aluminium one.

What happens to the wave as it passes from the aluminium string into the steel string? Does its frequency or wavelength change? Thanks

Dragonshade

Member

Registered: 2008-01-16

Posts: 147

Re: Need help with physics waves

In my opinion,

I guess the linear mass density of steel is greater than of aluminium, therefore v decrease,  and frequency remain unchanged, then wavelength must decrease as well

Last edited by Dragonshade (2008-05-15 06:49:03)

Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Re: Need help with physics waves

Thanks Dragonshade, how did you figure the frequency stays the same?

Dragonshade

Member

Registered: 2008-01-16

Posts: 147

Re: Need help with physics waves

yea, that puzzles me as well,  I look at different sources, they didnt explain it.  they just simply stated that when a wave enter a new medium frequency remain unchanged.  But since frequency means a number of cycles per unit time  of a particle of medium . I think it could be proven , can anyone help?

to my knowledge, in light wave or magnetic wave's case, the frequency remain unchanged is that  frequency is related to the energy of the light wave, engergy could not be created or destroyed so it remained unchanged.

dont know if its the same in mechanical wave's case

Last edited by Dragonshade (2008-05-16 05:45:37)

John E. Franklin

Member

Registered: 2005-08-29

Posts: 3,588

Re: Need help with physics waves

I've heard that frequency remains fixed as well, but nothing more.

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