Answer to Question #82345 in Physics for Olumide

Question

A steel wire of length 5meters and mass 40grams is held between two support under tension of 1200 newton. determine the speed of propagation of the transverse wave:
a) In the wave
b) In the same wave, if the tension is increased into 1500 newton

Answer 1

The speed of propagation of a wave in a wire under tension T and of linear density μ is given by

v=√(T/μ)

Since it is given that T=1200 N and μ=0.04 kg/5 m=0.008 kg/m, we obtain

v=√((1200 N)/(0.008 kg/m))=387.3 m/s

For T=1500 N and μ=0.008 kg/m we get

v=√((1500 N)/(0.008 kg/m))=433 m/s