Chapter 16 Problems 4.

Two points A and B on the surface of

the Earth are at the same longitude and
1, 2, 3 = straightforward, intermediate, 60.0 apart in latitude. Suppose that an
challenging earthquake at point A creates a P wave that
reaches point B by traveling straight
Section 16.1 Propagation of a Disturbance through the body of the Earth at a constant
speed of 7.80 km/s. The earthquake also
1. At t = 0, a transverse pulse in a wire radiates a Rayleigh wave, which travels
is described by the function along the surface of the Earth in an
analogous way to a surface wave on water,
6 at 4.50 km/s. (a) Which of these two seismic
y
x 3
2 waves arrives at B first? (b) What is the time
difference between the arrivals of the two
where x and y are in meters. Write the waves at B? Take the radius of the Earth to
function y(x, t) that describes this pulse if it be 6 370 km.
is traveling in the positive x direction with a
speed of 4.50 m/s. 5. S and P waves, simultaneously
radiated from the hypocenter of an
2. Ocean waves with a crest-to-crest earthquake, are received at a seismographic
distance of 10.0 m can be described by the station 17.3 s apart. Assume the waves
wave function have traveled over the same path at speeds
of 4.50 km/s and 7.80 km/s. Find the
y(x, t) = (0.800 m) sin[0.628(x – vt)] distance from the seismograph to the
hypocenter of the quake.
where v = 1.20 m/s. (a) Sketch y(x, t) at
t = 0. (b) Sketch y(x, t) at t = 2.00 s. Note Section 16.2 Sinusoidal Waves
how the entire wave form has shifted
2.40 m in the positive x direction in this 6. For a certain transverse wave, the
time interval. distance between two successive crests is
1.20 m, and eight crests pass a given point
3. A pulse moving along the x axis is along the direction of travel every 12.0 s.
described by Calculate the wave speed.

yx,t  5.00e x  5.00t

2
7. A sinusoidal wave is traveling along
a rope. The oscillator that generates the
wave completes 40.0 vibrations in 30.0 s.
where x is in meters and t is in seconds.
Also, a given maximum travels 425 cm
Determine (a) the direction of the wave
along the rope in 10.0 s. What is the
motion, and (b) the speed of the pulse.
wavelength?
8. When a particular wire is vibrating 13. A sinusoidal wave train is described
with a frequency of 4.00 Hz, a transverse by
wave of wavelength 60.0 cm is produced.
Determine the speed of waves along the y = (0.25 m) sin(0.30x – 40t)
wire.
where x and y are in meters and t is in
9. A wave is described by seconds. Determine for this wave the (a)
y = (2.00 cm)sin(kx – t), where amplitude, (b) angular frequency, (c)
k = 2.11 rad/m,  = 3.62 rad/s, x is in meters, angular wave number, (d) wavelength, (e)
and t is in seconds. Determine the wave speed, and (f) direction of motion.
amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and
speed of the wave. 14. (a) Plot y versus t at x = 0 for a
sinusoidal wave of the form y = (15.0 cm)
10. A sinusoidal wave on a string is cos(0.157x – 50.3t) , where x and y are in
described by centimeters and t is in seconds. (b)
Determine the period of vibration from this
y = (0.51 cm) sin(kx – t) plot and compare your result with the
value found in Example 16.2.
where k = 3.10 rad/cm and  = 9.30 rad/s.
How far does a wave crest move in 10.0 s? 15. (a) Write the expression for y as a
Does it move in the positive or negative x function of x and t for a sinusoidal wave
direction? traveling along a rope in the negative x
direction with the following characteristics:
11. Consider further the string shown in A = 8.00 cm,  = 80.0 cm, f = 3.00 Hz, and
Figure 16.10 and treated in Example 16.3. y(0, t) = 0 at t = 0. (b) What If? Write the
Calculate (a) the maximum transverse expression for y as a function of x and t for
speed and (b) the maximum transverse the wave in part (a) assuming that
acceleration of a point on the string. y(x, 0) = 0 at the point x = 10.0 cm.

12. Consider the sinusoidal wave of 16. A sinusoidal wave traveling in the –
Example 16.2, with the wave function x direction (to the left) has an amplitude of
20.0 cm, a wavelength of 35.0 cm and a
y = (15.0 cm) cos(0.157x – 50.3t). frequency of 12.0 Hz. The transverse
position of an element of the medium at
At a certain instant, let point A be at the t = 0, x = 0 is y = –3.00 cm and the element
origin and point B be the first point along has a positive velocity here. (a) Sketch the
the x axis where the wave is 60.0 out of wave at t = 0. (b) Find the angular wave
phase with point A. What is the coordinate number, period, angular frequency and
of point B? wave speed of the wave. (c) Write an
expression for the wave function y(x,t). y = (0.100m) sin(0.50x – 20t). (a) Show that a
particle in the string at x = 2.00 m executes
17. A transverse wave on a string is harmonic motion. (b) Determine the
described by the wave function frequency of oscillation of this particular
point.
y = (0.120 m) sin [(  x/8) + 4  t]
Section 16.3 The Speed of Waves on
(a) Determine the transverse speed and Strings
acceleration at t = 0.200 s for the point on
the string located at x = 1.60 m. (b) What are 21. A telephone cord is 4.00 m long. The
the wavelength, period, and speed of cord has a mass of 0.200 kg. A transverse
propagation of this wave? pulse is produced by plucking one end of
the taut cord. The pulse makes four trips
18. A transverse sinusoidal wave on a down and back along the cord in 0.800 s.
string has a period T = 25.0 ms and travels What is the tension in the cord?
in the negative x direction with a speed of
30.0 m/s. At t = 0, a particle on the string at 22. Transverse waves with a speed of
x = 0 has a transverse position of 2.00 cm 50.0 m/s are to be produced in a taut string.
and is traveling downward with a speed of A 5.00-m length of string with a total mass
2.00 m/s. (a) What is the amplitude of the of 0.060 0 kg is used. What is the required
wave? (b) What is the initial phase angle? tension?
(c) What is the maximum transverse speed
of the string? (d) Write the wave function 23. A piano string having a mass per
for the wave. unit length 5.00  10–3 kg/m is under a
tension of 1 350 N. Find the speed of a
19. A sinusoidal wave of wavelength wave traveling on this string.
2.00 m and amplitude 0.100 m travels on a
string with a speed of 1.00 m/s to the right. 24. A transverse traveling wave on a
Initially, the left end of the string is at the taut wire has an amplitude of 0.200 mm
origin. Find: (a) the frequency and angular and a frequency of 500 Hz. It travels with a
frequency, (b) the angular wave number, speed of 196 m/s. (a) Write an equation in
and (c) the wave function for this wave. SI units of the form y = A sin(kx –  t) for
Determine the equation of motion for (d) this wave. (b) The mass per unit length of
the left end of the string, and (e) the point this wire is 4.10 g/m. Find the tension in the
on the string at x = 1.50 m to the right of the wire.
left end. (f) What is the maximum speed of
any point on the string? 25. An astronaut on the Moon wishes to
measure the local value of the free-fall
20. A wave on a string is described by acceleration by timing pulses traveling
the wave function down a wire that has an object of large
mass suspended from it. Assume a wire m is suspended from the center of the
has a mass of 4.00 g and a length of 1.60 m, string, putting a tension in the string. (a)
and that a 3.00-kg object is suspended from Find an expression for the transverse wave
it. A pulse requires 36.1 ms to traverse the speed in the string as a function of the mass
length of the wire. Calculate gMoon from of the hanging object. (b) What should be
these data. (You may ignore the mass of the mass of the object suspended from the
the wire when calculating the tension in it.) string in order to produce a wave speed of
60.0 m/s?
26. Transverse pulses travel with a
speed of 200 m/s along a taut copper wire
whose diameter is 1.50 mm. What is the
tension in the wire? (The density of copper
is 8.92 g/cm3.)

27. Transverse waves travel with a

speed of 20.0 m/s in a string under a tension
of 6.00 N. What tension is required for a
wave speed of 30.0 m/s in the same string? Figure P16.30

28. A simple pendulum consists of a ball

31. A 30.0-m steel wire and a 20.0-m
of mass M hanging from a uniform string of
copper wire, both with 1.00-mm diameters,
mass m and length L, with m << M. If the
are connected end to end and stretched to a
period of oscillations for the pendulum is T,
tension of 150 N. How long does it take a
determine the speed of a transverse wave in
transverse wave to travel the entire length
the string when the pendulum hangs at
of the two wires?
rest.
32. Review problem. A light string of
29. The elastic limit of a piece of steel
mass m and length L has its ends tied to
wire is equal to 2.70  109 Pa. What is the
two walls that are separated by the distance
maximum speed at which transverse wave
D. Two objects, each of mass M, are
pulses can propagate along this wire
suspended from the string as in Figure
without exceeding this stress? (The density
P16.32. If a wave pulse is sent from point
of steel is 7.86  103 km/m3.)
A, how long does it take to travel to point
B?
30. Review problem. A light string with
a mass per unit length of 8.00 g/m has its
ends tied to two walls separated by a
distance equal to three-fourths the length of
the string (Fig. P16.30). An object of mass
 36. Transverse waves are being
generated on a rope under constant tension.
By what factor is the required power
increased or decreased if (a) the length of
the rope is doubled and the angular
frequency remains constant, (b) the
amplitude is doubled and the angular
frequency is halved, (c) both the
wavelength and the amplitude are doubled,
Figure P16.32 and (d) both the length of the rope and the
wavelength are halved?
33. A student taking a quiz finds on a
reference sheet the two equations 37. Sinusoidal waves 5.00 cm in
amplitude are to be transmitted along a

f = 1/T and v  T/  string that has a linear mass density of

4.00  10–2 kg/m. If the source can deliver a
maximum power of 300 W and the string is
She has forgotten what T represents in each
under a tension of 100 N, what is the
equation. (a) Use dimensional analysis to
highest frequency at which the source can
determine the units required for T in each
operate?
equation. (b) Identify the physical quantity
each T represents.
38. It is found that a 6.00-m segment of a
long string contains four complete waves
Section 16.5 Rate of Energy Transfer by
and has a mass of 180 g. The string is
Sinusoidal Waves on Strings
vibrating sinusoidally with a frequency of
50.0 Hz and a peak-to-valley distance of
34. A taut rope has a mass of 0.180 kg
15.0 cm. (The “peak-to-valley” distance is
and a length of 3.60 m. What power must
the vertical distance from the farthest
be supplied to the rope in order to generate
positive position to the farthest negative
sinusoidal waves having an amplitude of
position.) (a) Write the function that
0.100 m and a wavelength of 0.500 m and
describes this wave traveling in the positive
traveling with a speed of 30.0 m/s?
x direction. (b) Determine the power being
supplied to the string.
35. A two-dimensional water wave
spreads in circular ripples. Show that the
39. A sinusoidal wave on a string is
amplitude A at a distance r from the initial
described by the equation
disturbance is proportional to 1/ r .
(Suggestion: Consider the energy carried by y = (0.15 m) sin(0.80x – 50t)
one outward-moving ripple.)
where x and y are in meters and t is in or decrease? By what factor? This
seconds. If the mass per unit length of this phenomenon led to the collapse of part of
string is 12.0 g/m, determine (a) the speed the Nimitz Freeway in Oakland, California,
of the wave, (b) the wavelength, (c) the during the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989.
frequency, and (d) the power transmitted to
the wave. Section 16.6 The Linear Wave Equation

40. The wave function for a wave on a 43. (a) Evaluate A in the scalar equality
taut string is (7+3)4 = A. (b) Evaluate A, B, and C in the
vector equality
y(x, t) = (0.350 m)sin(10  t – 3  x +  /4) 7.00ˆi  3.00kˆ  Aˆi  Bˆj  Ckˆ .
Explain how you arrive at the answers to
where x is in meters and t in seconds. (a)
convince a student who thinks that you
What is the average rate at which energy is
cannot solve a single equation for three
transmitted along the string if the linear
different unknowns. (c) What If? The
mass density is 75.0 g/m? (b) What is the
functional equality or identity
energy contained in each cycle of the wave?
A + B cos (Cx + Dt + E) = (7.00 mm) cos
(3x + 4t + 2) is true for all values of the
41. A horizontal string can transmit a
variables x and t, which are measured in
maximum power P0 (without breaking) if a
meters and in seconds, respectively.
wave with amplitude A and angular
Evaluate the constants A, B, C, D, and E.
frequency  is traveling along it. In order
Explain how you arrive at the answers.
to increase this maximum power, a student
folds the string and uses this “double
44. Show that the wave function
string” as a medium. Determine the b(x – vt)
y=e is a solution of the linear wave
maximum power that can be transmitted
equation (Eq. 16.27), where b is a constant.
along the “double string,” supposing that
the tension is constant.
45. Show that the wave function
y = ln[b(x – vt)] is a solution to Equation
42. In a region far from the epicenter of
16.27, where b is a constant.
an earthquake, a seismic wave can be
modeled as transporting energy in a single
46. (a) Show that the function
direction without absorption, just as a
y(x,t) = x2 + v2t2 is a solution to the wave
string wave does. Suppose the seismic
equation. (b) Show that the function in part
wave moves from granite into mudfill with
(a) can be written as f(x  + vt) + g(x – vt), and
similar density but with a much lower bulk
determine the functional forms for f and g.
modulus. Assume the speed of the wave
(c) What If? Repeat parts (a) and (b) for the
gradually drops by a factor of 25.0, with
function y(x,t) = sin(x)cos(vt).
negligible reflection of the wave. Will the
Additional Problems
amplitude of the ground shaking increase
 transverse speed of the string?
47. “The wave” is a particular type of
pulse that can propagate through a large 50. A transverse wave on a string is
crowd gathered at a sports arena to watch a described by the equation
soccer or American football match. The
elements of the medium are the spectators, y(x, t) = (0.350 m)sin [(1.25 rad/m)x + (99.6
with zero position corresponding to their rad/s)t]
being seated and maximum position
corresponding to their standing and raising Consider the element of the string at x = 0.
their arms. When a large fraction of the (a) What is the time interval between the
spectators participate in the wave motion, a first two instants when this element has a
somewhat stable pulse shape can develop. position of y = 0.175 m? (b) What distance
The wave speed depends on people’s does the wave travel during this time
reaction time, which is typically on the interval?
order of 0.1 s. Estimate the order of
magnitude, in minutes, of the time required 51. Motion picture film is projected at
for such a pulse to make one circuit around 24.0 frames per second. Each frame is a
a large sports stadium. State the quantities photograph 19.0 mm high. At what
you measure or estimate and their values. constant speed does the film pass into the
projector?
48. A traveling wave propagates
according to the expression 52. Review problem. A block of mass
y = (4.0 cm) sin(2.0x – 3.0t), where x is in M, supported by a string, rests on an incline
centimeters and t is in seconds. Determine making an angle  with the horizontal
(a) the amplitude, (b) the wavelength, (c) (Fig. P16.52). The length of the string is L
the frequency, (d) the period, and (e) the and its mass is m <<M. Derive an
direction of travel of the wave. expression for the time interval required for
a transverse wave to travel from one end of
49. The wave function for a traveling the string to the other.
wave on a taut string is (in SI units)

y(x,t) = (0.350 m) sin(10  t – 3  x +  /4)

(a) What are the speed and direction of

travel of the wave? (b) What is the vertical
position of an element of the string at
t = 0, x = 0.100 m? (c) What are the
wavelength and frequency of the wave? (d)
What is the maximum magnitude of the
 56. A sinusoidal wave in a rope is
Figure P16.52 described by the wave function

53. Review problem. A 2.00-kg block y = (0.20 m) sin(0.75  x + 18  t)

hangs from a rubber cord, being supported
so that the cord is not stretched. The where x and y are in meters and t is in
unstretched length of the cord is 0.500 m seconds. The rope has a linear mass density
and its mass is 5.00 g. The “spring constant” of 0.250 kg/m. If the tension in the rope is
for the cord is 100 N/m. The block is provided by an arrangement like the one
released, and stops at the lowest point. (a) illustrated in Figure 16.12, what is the value
Determine the tension in the cord when the of the suspended mass?
block is at this lowest point. (b) What is the
length of the cord in this “stretched” 57. A block of mass 0.450 kg is attached
position? (c) Find the speed of a transverse to one end of a cord of mass 0.003 20 kg; the
wave in the cord if the block is held in this other end of the cord is attached to a fixed
lowest position. point. The block rotates with constant
angular speed in a circle on a horizontal
54. Review problem. A block of mass M frictionless table. Through what angle does
hangs from a rubber cord. The block is the block rotate in the time that a transverse
supported so that the cord is not stretched. wave takes to travel along the string from
The unstretched length of the cord is L0 and the center of the circle to the block?
its mass is m, much less than M. The
“spring constant” for the cord is k. The 58. A wire of density  is tapered so that
block is released and stops at the lowest its cross-sectional area varies with x,
point. (a) Determine the tension in the according to
string when the block is at this lowest point.
(b) What is the length of the cord in this A = (1.0  10–3 x + 0.010) cm2
“stretched” position? (c) Find the speed of a
transverse wave in the cord if the block is (a) If the wire is subject to a tension T,
held in this lowest position. derive a relationship for the speed of a
wave as a function of position. (b) What If?
55. (a) Determine the speed of If the wire is aluminum and is subject to a
transverse waves on a string under a tension of 24.0 N, determine the speed at
tension of 80.0 N if the string has a length of the origin and at x = 10.0 m.
2.00 m and a mass of 5.00 g. (b) Calculate
the power required to generate these waves 59. A rope of total mass m and length L
if they have a wavelength of 16.0 cm and an is suspended vertically. Show that a
amplitude of 4.00 cm. transverse pulse travels the length of the
rope in a time interval t  2 L / g .
(Suggestion: First find an expression for the sinusoidal waves, assuming that x is
wave speed at any point a distance x from measured in meters and t in seconds.
the lower end by considering the tension in
the rope as resulting from the weight of the (a) y = 0.60 cos(3.0x – 15t + 2)
segment below that point.) (b) y = 0.40 cos(3.0x + 15t – 2)
(c) y = 1.2 sin(15t + 2.0x)
60. If an object of mass M is suspended (d) y = 0.20 sin[(12t – (x/2) +  ]
from the bottom of the rope in Problem 59,
(a) show that the time interval for a 63. An aluminum wire is clamped at
transverse pulse to travel the length of the each end under zero tension at room
rope is temperature. The tension in the wire is
increased by reducing the temperature,

t  2
L
mg
 Mm M  which results in a decrease in the wire's
equilibrium length. What strain (  L/L)
results in a transverse wave speed of
100 m/s? Take the cross-sectional area of the
What If? (b) Show that this reduces to the
wire to be 5.00  10–6 m2, the density to be
result of Problem 59 when M = 0. (c) Show
2.70  103 kg/m3, and Young's modulus to
that for m < < M, the expression in part (a)
be 7.00  1010 N/m2.
reduces to

64. If a loop of chain is spun at high

mL
t  speed, it can roll along the ground like a
Mg circular hoop without collapsing. Consider
a chain of uniform linear mass density 
61. It is stated in Problem 59 that a pulse whose center of mass travels to the right at
travels from the bottom to the top of a a high speed v0. (a) Determine the tension in
hanging rope of length L in a time interval the chain in terms of  and v0. (b) If the
t  2 L / g . Use this result to answer loop rolls over a bump, the resulting
deformation of the chain causes two
the following questions. (It is not necessary
transverse pulses to propagate along the
to set up any new integrations.) (a) How
chain, one moving clockwise and one
long does it take for a pulse to travel
moving counterclockwise. What is the
halfway up the rope? Give your answer as a
speed of the pulses traveling along the
fraction of the quantity 2 L / g . (b) A chain? (c) Through what angle does each
pulse starts traveling up the rope. How far pulse travel during the time it takes the
has it traveled after a time interval L/ g ? loop to make one revolution?

62. Determine the speed and direction of 65. (a) Show that the speed of
propagation of each of the following longitudinal waves along a spring of force
constant k is v  kL/  , where L is the
ratio P (x)/ P (0).
unstretched length of the spring and  is
68. An earthquake on the ocean floor in
the mass per unit length. (b) A spring with
the Gulf of Alaska produces a tsunami
a mass of 0.400 kg has an unstretched
(sometimes incorrectly called a "tidal
length of 2.00 m and a force constant of
wave") that reaches Hilo, Hawaii, 4 450 km
100 N/m. Using the result you obtained in
away, in a time interval of 9 h 30 min.
(a), determine the speed of longitudinal
Tsunamis have enormous wavelengths (100
waves along this spring.
to 200 km), and the propagation speed for
66. A string of length L consists of two these waves is
v  gd , where d is the
sections. The left half has mass per unit average depth of the water. From the
length  =  0/2, while the right has a mass information given, find the average wave
per unit length  ’ = 3 = 3  0/2. Tension in speed and the average ocean depth
the string is T0. Notice from the data given between Alaska and Hawaii. (This method
that this string has the same total mass as a was used in 1856 to estimate the average
uniform string of length L and mass per depth of the Pacific Ocean long before
unit length  0. (a) Find the speeds v and v’ soundings were made to give a direct
at which transverse pulses travel in the two determination.)
sections. Express the speeds in terms of T0
and  0, and also as multiples of the speed 69. A string on a musical instrument is
v0 = (T0/  0)1/2. (b) Find the time interval held under tension T and extends from the
required for a pulse to travel from one end point x = 0 to the point x = L. The string is
of the string to the other. Give your result overwound with wire in such a way that its
as a multiple of  t0 = L/v0. mass per unit length  (x) increases
uniformly from  0 at x = 0 to  L at x = L.
67. A pulse traveling along a string of (a) Find an expression for  (x) as a
linear mass density  is described by the function of x over the range 0  x  L. (b)
wave function Show that the time interval required for a
transverse pulse to travel the length of the
y = [A0e–bx] sin(kx – t) string is given by

t 

2L  L  0   L  0 
 
where the factor in brackets before the sine
function is said to be the amplitude. (a) 3 T L  0
What is the power P(x) carried by this wave © Copyright 2004 Thomson. All rights
at a point x? (b) What is the power carried reserved.
by this wave at the origin? (c) Compute the