P 201 F 08 HW 11 A

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IUPhysicsP201F2009
Assignment11a
Due at 11:00pm on Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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Energy of Harmonic Oscillators
Description: Several questions, both qualitative and computational, related to kinetic and potential energy of a
mass-spring system vibrating horizontally.
Learning Goal: To learn to apply the law of conservation of energy to the analysis of harmonic oscillators.
Systems in simple harmonic motion, or harmonic oscillators, obey the law of conservation of energy just like all
other systems do. Using energy considerations, one can analyze many aspects of motion of the oscillator. Such an
analysis can be simplified if one assumes that mechanical energy is not dissipated. In other words,
where is the total mechanical energy of the system, is the kinetic energy, and is the potential energy.
As you know, a common example of a harmonic oscillator is a mass attached to a spring. In this problem, we will
consider a horizontally moving block attached to a spring. Note that, since the gravitational potential energy is not
changing in this case, it can be excluded from the calculations.
For such a system, the potential energy is stored in the spring and is given by
where is the force constant of the spring and is the distance from the equilibrium position.
The kinetic energy of the system is, as always,
where is the mass of the block and is the speed of the block.
We will also assume that there are no resistive forces; that is, .
http://session.masteringphysics.com/myct/assignmentPrint?assignmentID=1144549 9/27/2008
Consider a harmonic oscillator at four different moments, labeled A, B, C, and D, as shown in the figure . Assume
that the force constant , the mass of the block, , and
the amplitude of vibrations, , are given. Answer the
following questions.
Part A
Which moment corresponds to the maximum potential energy of the system?
Hint A.1 Consider the position of the block

Recall that , where is the distance from equilibrium. Thus, the farther the block is from equilibrium,
the greater the potential energy. When is the block farthest from equilibrium?
ANSWER:
iA
j
k
l
m
n
jB
k
l
m
n
jC
k
l
m
n
jD
k
l
m
n
Part B
Which moment corresponds to the minimum kinetic energy of the system?
Hint B.1 How does the velocity change?

Recall that , where is the speed of the block. When is the speed at a minimum? Keep in mind that
speed is the magnitude of the velocity, so the lowest value that it can take is zero.
ANSWER:
iA
j
k
l
m
n
jB
k
l
m
n
nC
j
k
l
m
jD
k
l
m
n
When the block is displaced a distance from equilibrium, the spring is stretched (or compressed) the most,
and the block is momentarily at rest. Therefore, the maximum potential energy is . At that
moment, of course, . Recall that . Therefore,
In general, the mechanical energy of a harmonic oscillator equals its potential energy at the maximum or
minimum displacement.
Part C
Consider the block in the process of oscillating.
ANSWER:
j at the equilibrium position.
k
l
m
n
j at the amplitude displacement.
k
l
m
n
If the kinetic energy of the block is increasing, the block must n moving to the right.
j
k
l
m
be j moving to the left.
k
l
m
n
moving away from
j equilibrium.
k
l
m
n
i moving toward equilibrium.
j
k
l
m
n
Part D
Which moment corresponds to the maximum kinetic energy of the system?
Hint D.1 Consider the velocity of the block

As the block begins to move away from the amplitude position, it gains speed. As the block approaches
equilibrium, the force applied by the spring—and, therefore, the acceleration of the block—decrease. The speed
of the block is at a maximum when the acceleration becomes zero. At what position does the object begin to slow
down?
ANSWER:
nA
j
k
l
m
jB
k
l
m
n
iC
j
k
l
m
n
jD
k
l
m
n
Part E
Which moment corresponds to the minimum potential energy of the system?
Hint E.1 Consider the distance from equilibrium

The smallest potential energy corresponds to the smallest distance from equilibrium.
ANSWER:
jA
k
l
m
n
jB
k
l
m
n
iC
j
k
l
m
n
jD
k
l
m
n
When the block is at the equilibrium position, the spring is not stretched (or compressed) at all. At that
moment, of course, . Meanwhile, the block is at its maximum speed ( ). The maximum
kinetic energy can then be written as . Recall that and that at the
equilibrium position. Therefore,
Recalling what we found out before,
we can now conclude that
or
Part F
At which moment is ?
Hint F.1 Consider the potential energy

At this moment, . Use the formula for to obtain the corresponding distance from equilibrium.
ANSWER:
jA
k
l
m
n
jB
k
l
m
n
nC
j
k
l
m
iD
j
k
l
m
n
Part G
Find the kinetic energy of the block at the moment labeled B.
Hint G.1 How to approach the problem

Find the potential energy first; then use conservation of energy.
Part G.2 Find the potential energy
Find the potential energy of the block at the moment labeled B.
Express your answer in terms of and .
ANSWER:
=
Using the facts that the total energy and that , you can now solve for the kinetic
energy at moment B.
Express your answer in terms of and .
ANSWER:
=
Introduction to Simple Harmonic Motion

Description: Mostly conceptual questions to introduce basic relations between the restoring force, acceleration, and
displacement in SHM of a mass-spring system. No previous knowledge of SHM is required.
Consider the system shown in the figure. It consists of a block of mass attached to a spring of negligible mass and
force constant . The block is free to move on a
frictionless horizontal surface, while the left end of the
spring is held fixed. When the spring is neither
compressed nor stretched, the block is in equilibrium. If
the spring is stretched, the block is displaced to the right
and when it is released, a force acts on it to pull it back
toward equilibrium. By the time the block has returned
to the equilibrium position, it has picked up some kinetic
energy, so it overshoots, stopping somewhere on the
other side, where it is again pulled back toward
equilibrium. As a result, the block moves back and forth
from one side of the equilibrium position to the other,
undergoing oscillations. Since we are ignoring friction (a
good approximation to many cases), the mechanical
energy of the system is conserved and the oscillations repeat themselves over and over.
The motion that we have just described is typical of most systems when they are displaced from equilibrium and
experience a restoring force that tends to bring them back to their equilibrium position. The resulting oscillations take
the name of periodic motion. An important example of periodic motion is simple harmonic motion (SHM) and we
will use the mass-spring system described here to introduce some of its properties.
Part A
Which of the following statements best describes the characteristic of the restoring force in the spring-mass system
described in the introduction?
Part A.1 Find which force is the restoring force

Which of the following forces plays the role of the restoring force?
ANSWER:
n gravity
j
k
l
m
j friction
k
l
m
n
i the force exerted by the spring
j
k
l
m
n
j the normal force
k
l
m
n
Hint A.2 Hooke's law

The expression known as Hooke's law says that a spring stretched or compressed by a distance exerts a force
given by , where is a constant characteristic of the spring called the spring constant. The negative
sign expresses the fact that the force exerted by the spring acts in the direction opposite the direction in which the
displacement has occurred. Also note that the spring exerts a varying force that is proportional to displacement.
ANSWER:
n The restoring force is constant.
j
k
l
m
i The restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement of the block.
j
k
l
m
n
j The restoring force is proportional to the mass of the block.
k
l
m
n
j The restoring force is maximum when the block is in the equilibrium position.
k
l
m
n
Whenever the oscillations are caused by a restoring force that is directly proportional to displacement, the
resulting periodic motion is referred to as simple harmonic motion.
Part B
As shown in the figure, a coordinate system with the origin at the equilibrium position is chosen so that the x
coordinate represents the displacement from the
equilibrium position. (The positive direction is to the
right.) What is the initial acceleration of the block, ,
when the block is released at a distance from its
equilibrium position?
Part B.1 Find the restoring force

Find , the x component of the net force acting on the block, when the block is at a distance from its
equilibrium position. Note that if the block is displaced a certain distance from its equilibrium position, the spring
is stretched by the same distance.
Hint B.1.a Forces exerted on the block in the x direction
The x component of the net force acting on the block is due exclusively to the force exerted by the spring, since
all the other forces (gravity and the normal force) act in the vertical direction.
Express your answer in terms of some or all of the variables , , and .
ANSWER: =
ANSWER:
=
Part C
What is the acceleration of the block when it passes through its equilibrium position?
Hint C.1 A characteristic of equilibrium

By definition, an object in equilibrium does not accelerate.
ANSWER: =
Your results from Parts B and C show that the acceleration of the block is negative when the block has
undergone a positive displacement. Then, the acceleration's magnitude decreases to zero as the block goes
through its equilibrium position. What do you expect the block's acceleration will be when the block is to the
left of its equilibrium position and has undergone a negative displacement?
Part D
Select the correct expression that gives the block's acceleration at a distance from the equilibrium position. Note
that can be either positive or negative; that is, the block can be either to the right or left of its equilibrium
position.
Hint D.1 How to approach the problem

Hooke's law gives you an expression for the force exerted on the mass at a given displacement. Newton's 2nd
law tells you that , where is the acceleration and is the mass. Using this equation, you can find a
formula for the acceleration of the mass attached to the spring.
ANSWER:
j
k
l
m
n
j
k
l
m
n
j
k
l
m
n
i
j
k
l
m
n
Whether the block undergoes a positive or negative displacement, its acceleration is always opposite in sign
with respect to displacement. Moreover, the block's acceleration is not constant; instead, it is directly
proportional to displacement. This is a fundamental property of simple harmonic motion.
Using the information found so far, select the correct phrases to complete the following statements.
Part E
Hint E.1 How to approach the problem

In Part D, you found that . Since the acceleration is directly proportional to displacement, it must
reach its maximum value when displacement is maximum.
ANSWER: The magnitude of the block's

acceleration reaches its
at either its rightmost or leftmost position.
maximum value when the
block is
Part F
Hint F.1 How to approach the problem

When the block is in motion, its speed can be zero only when its velocity changes sign, that is, when the direction
of motion changes.
ANSWER: The speed of the block is

at either its rightmost or leftmost position.
zero when it is
Part G
Hint G.1 How to approach the problem

As the block moves from its rightmost position to its leftmost position, its speed increases from zero to a certain
value and then decreases back to zero. This means that as the block moves away from its rightmost position
toward its leftmost position, its acceleration decreases from positive values to negative values. In particular, the
location where the block's acceleration changes sign must also be the location where its speed reaches its
maximum value, where it stops increasing and starts to decrease.
ANSWER: The speed of the block

reaches its maximum value in the equilibrium position.
when the block is
Part H
Because of the periodic properties of SHM, the mathematical equations that describe this motion involve sine and
cosine functions. For example, if the block is released at a distance from its equilibrium position, its
displacement varies with time according to the equation
where is a constant characteristic of the system. If time is measured is seconds, must be expressed in radians
per second so that the quantity is expressed in radians.
Use this equation and the information you now have on the acceleration and speed of the block as it moves back
and forth from one side of its equilibrium position to the other to determine the correct set of equations for the
block's x components of velocity and acceleration, and , respectively. In the expressions below, and are
nonzero positive constants.
Hint H.1 How to find the equation for acceleration

To determine the correct equation for the acceleration, simply substitute the equation into the
expression for found in Part D and group all positive constants together. You can verify then whether your
result is correct by calculating the acceleration at and comparing it with your result in Part B.
Hint H.2 How to find the equation for velocity

To determine the correct equation for the velocity, recall that when the speed of the block is zero.
Mathematically, you can calculate when from the given equation for displacement. When you do that, you
will not find a unique value for ; rather, you will have a set of values of at which . At this point you
simply need to determine which function among and is zero at those calculated values
of .
ANSWER: ,
j
k
l
m
n
j
k
l
m
n
,
j
k
l
m
n ,
i
j
k
l
m
n
,
Further calculations would show that the constants and can be expressed in terms of and .
Standing Waves on a Guitar String
Description: This problem deals with transverse standing waves on a guitar string. It explains the physical meaning
behind some musical terms.
Learning Goal: To understand standing waves, including calculation of and , and to learn the physical
meaning behind some musical terms.
The columns in the figure show the instantaneous shape of a vibrating guitar string drawn every 1 . The guitar
string is 60 long.
The left column shows the guitar string shape as a

sinusoidal traveling wave passes through it. Notice that
the shape is sinusoidal at all times and specific features,
such as the crest indicated with the arrow, travel along
the string to the right at a constant speed.
The right column shows snapshots of the sinusoidal
standing wave formed when this sinusoidal traveling wave passes through an identically shaped wave moving in the
opposite direction on the same guitar string. The string is momentarily flat when the underlying traveling waves are
exactly out of phase. The shape is sinusoidal with twice the original amplitude when the underlying waves are
momentarily in phase. This pattern is called a standing wave because no wave features travel down the length of the
string.
Standing waves on a guitar string form when waves traveling down the string reflect off a point where the string is
tied down or pressed against the fingerboard. The entire series of distortions may be superimposed on a single
figure, like this , indicating different moments in time using traces of different colors or line styles.
Part A
What is the wavelength of the standing wave shown on the guitar string?
Part A.1 Identify the wavelength of a sinusoidal shape
The wavelength of a sinusoidal shape is the distance from a given feature to the next instance of that same feature.
Wavelengths are usually measured from one peak to the next peak. What is the wavelength of this sinusoidal
pattern?
Express your answer in centimeters.
ANSWER: =
Now answer the original question by considering the guitar string at a moment when it looks sinusoidal, not
flat.
ANSWER: =
Nodes are locations in the standing wave pattern where the string doesn't move at all, and hence the traces on
the figure intersect. In between nodes are antinodes, where the string moves up and down the most.
This standing wave pattern has three antinodes, at , , and . The pattern also has four
nodes, at , , , and . Notice that the spacing between adjacent antinodes is only
half of one wavelength, not one full wavelength. The same is true for the spacing between adjacent nodes.
This figure shows the first three standing wave patterns that fit on any string with length tied down at both
ends. A pattern's number is the number of antinodes
it contains. The wavelength of the th pattern is
denoted . The th pattern has half-wavelengths
along the length of the string, so
Thus the wavelength of the th pattern is
Part B
What is the wavelength of the longest wavelength standing wave pattern that can fit on this guitar string?
Hint B.1 How to approach the problem

Look at the figure to determine the pattern number for the longest wavelength pattern, then calculate its
wavelength . Recall that the guitar string is 60 long.
Part B.2 Determine for the longest wavelength pattern
What is the pattern number for the longest wavelength standing wave pattern?
ANSWER:
n1
i
j
k
l
m
j2
k
l
m
n
= m
n3
j
k
l
j some other integer
k
l
m
n
ANSWER: =
This longest wavelength pattern is so important it is given a special name—the fundamental. The wavelength
of the fundamental is always given by for a string that is held fixed at both ends.
Waves of all wavelengths travel at the same speed on a given string. Traveling wave velocity and wavelength
are related by
where is the wave speed (in meters per second), is the wavelength (in meters), and is the frequency [in
inverse seconds, also known as hertz ( )].
Since only certain wavelengths fit properly to form standing waves on a specific string, only certain frequencies
will be represented in that string's standing wave series. The frequency of the th pattern is
Note that the frequency of the fundamental is , so can also be thought of as an integer multiple of
: .
Part C
The frequency of the fundamental of the guitar string is 320 . At what speed do waves move along that string?
Hint C.1 How to approach the problem

The velocity of waves on the string equals the product of the wavelength and the corresponding frequency for any
standing wave pattern:
You know enough about the fundamental to calculate .
Express your answer in meters per second.
ANSWER: =
Notice that these transverse waves travel slightly faster than the speed of sound waves in air, which is about
340 .
We are now in a position to understand certain musical terms from a physics perspective.
The standing wave frequencies for this string are , , , etc.

This set of frequencies is called a harmonic series and it contains common musical intervals such as the octave (in
which the ratio of frequencies of the two notes is 2:1) and the perfect fifth (in which the ratio of frequencies of the
two notes is 3:2). Here is one octave above , is a perfect fifth above , and so on. Standing wave patterns
with frequencies higher than the fundamental frequency are called overtones. The pattern is called the first
overtone, the pattern is called the second overtone, and so on.
Part D
How does the overtone number relate to the standing wave pattern number, previously denoted with the variable ?
ANSWER:
j
k
l
m
n
j
k
l
m
n
i
j
k
l
m
n
j There is no strict relationship between overtone number and pattern number.
k
l
m
n
The overtone number and the pattern number are easy to confuse but they differ by one. When referring to a
standing wave pattern using a number, be explicit about which numbering scheme you are using.
When you pluck a guitar string, you actually excite many of its possible standing waves simultaneously. Typically,
the fundamental is the loudest, so that is the pitch you hear. However, the unique mix of the fundamental plus
overtones is what makes a guitar sound different from a violin or a flute, even if they are playing the same note (i.e.,
producing the same fundamental). This characteristic of a sound is called its timbre (rhymes with amber).
A sound containing just a single frequency is called a pure tone. A complex tone, in contrast, contains multiple
frequencies such as a fundamental plus some of its overtones. Interestingly enough, it is possible to fool someone
into identifying a frequency that is not present by playing just its overtones. For example, consider a sound
containing pure tones at 450 , 600 , and 750 . Here 600 and 750 are not integer multiples of 450
, so 450 would not be considered the fundamental with the other two as overtones. However, because all
three frequencies are consecutive overtones of 150 a listener might claim to hear 150 , over an octave below
any of the frequencies present. This 150 is called a virtual pitch or a missing fundamental.
Part E
A certain sound contains the following frequencies: 400 , 1600 , and 2400 . Select the best description of
this sound.
Hint E.1 How to identify a fundamental within a series of frequencies

All frequencies in a harmonic series are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. The lowest frequency
listed will be the fundamental, but only if all the other frequencies are integer multiples of it.
ANSWER:
j This is a pure tone.
k
l
m
n
i This is a complex tone with a fundamental of 400
j
k
l
m
n , plus some of its overtones.
n This is a complex tone with a virtual pitch of 800

j
k
l
m .
These frequencies are unrelated, so they are probably pure tones from three different sound
j sources.
k
l
m
n
These concepts of fundamentals and overtones can be applied to other types of musical instruments besides
string instruments. Hollow-tube instruments, such as brass instruments and reed instruments, have standing
wave patterns in the air within them. Percussion instruments, such as bells and cymbals, often exhibit standing
wave vibrations in the solid material of their bodies. Even the human voice can be analyzed this way, with the
fundamental setting the pitch of the voice and the presence or absence of overtones setting the unique vowel or
consonant being sounded.
Two Loudspeakers in an Open Field

Description: Determine if constructive interference occurs at a certain point and then find the shortest distance you
need to walk in order to experience destructive interference.
Imagine you are in an open field where two loudspeakers are set up and connected to the same amplifier so that they
emit sound waves in phase at 688 . Take the speed of sound in air to be 344 .
Part A
If you are 3.00 from speaker A directly to your right and 3.50 from speaker B directly to your left, will the
sound that you hear be louder than the sound you would hear if only one speaker were in use?
Hint A.1 How to approach the problem

The perceived loudness depends on the amplitude of the sound wave detected by your ear. When two sound
waves arrive at the same region of space they overlap, and interference occurs. The resulting wave has an
amplitude that can vary depending on how the two waves interfere. If destructive interference occurs, the total
wave amplitude is zero and no sound is perceived; if constructive interference occurs, the total wave amplitude is
twice the amplitude of a single wave, and sound is perceived as louder than what it would be if only one wave
reached your ear.
Hint A.2 Constructive and destructive interference

Constructive interference occurs when the distances traveled by two sound waves differ by a integer number of
wavelengths. If the difference in paths is equal to any half-integer number of wavelengths, destructive
interference occurs.
Part A.3 Find the wavelength of the sound

What is the wavelength of the sound emitted by the loudspeakers?
Hint A.3.a Relationship between wavelength and frequency
In a periodic wave, the product of the wavelength and the frequency is the speed at which the wave pattern
travels; that is,
Express your answer in meters.
ANSWER:
=
ANSWER:
i yes
j
k
l
m
n
j no
k
l
m
n
Part B
What is the shortest distance you need to walk forward to be at a point where you cannot hear the speakers?

You will not be able to hear the speakers if you are at a point of destructive interference. At a point of destructive
interference, the lengths of the paths traveled by the sound waves differ by a half-integer number of wavelengths.
Therefore, you can find the shortest distance you need to walk in the forward direction by determining the
difference in distance from the two speakers that corresponds to the smallest possible half-integer multiple of the
wavelength. Then, figure out how far forward you need to walk to obtain this path-length difference.
Part B.2 Find the path-length difference at a point of destructive interference

If is the distance between you and speaker A and is the distance between you and speaker B, by how much
does differ from if you are now at the closest possible point of destructive interference?
Hint B.2.a Condition for destructive interference

Destructive interference occurs if the difference in paths traveled by sound waves is equal to any half-integer
number of wavelengths. Therefore, the closest possible point of destructive interference corresponds to a path-
length difference of half a wavelength.
Express your answer in meters.
ANSWER:
=
Now combine this result with the Pythagorean Theorem and solve for .
Part B.3 Find your distance from speaker A

If initially you were 3.00 from speaker A and then you walked forward the shortest possible distance needed to
experience destructive interference, what is your new distance from that same speaker?
Hint B.3.a Geometrical considerations
Geometrically, your initial distance from one speaker and the distance you walked north represent the legs of a
right triangle, whose hypothenuse is your new distance from that same speaker. If you apply the Pythagorean
Theorem twice, you can write an expression that links to . This equation, combined with the relation
previously found by imposing the condition of destructive interference, allows you to find .
Express your answer in meters to four significant figures.
ANSWER: =
Express your answers in meters to three significant figures.
ANSWER:
=
Two Identical Pulses along a String

Description: Qualitative questions about the interference of two pulses on a string. The pulses start out traveling in
opposite directions along a string, then reflect off the ends of the string, one of which is fixed, the other of which is
open.
Two identical pulses are moving in opposite directions along a stretched string that has one fixed end and the other
movable, as shown in the figure.
Above each pulse a green arrow indicates the direction

of motion of the pulse.
Part A
The two pulses reflect off the boundaries of the string, and at some later time, they pass through the middle of the
string and interfere.
Below are six different sequences of snapshots taken as the two pulses meet in the middle of the string. Time
increases from top to bottom in each sequence. Which sequence correctly represents the displacement of the string
as the pulses interfere?
Hint A.1 Superposition of waves

When two pulses move through the same section of a string and overlap, you need to add the displacements of the
individual pulses at each point to determine the displacement of that section of the string. Note that the pulses
pass through the same section of the string only after each reaches a boundary and is reflected.
Part A.2 Reflection of waves at the boundary

When each pulse reaches one end of the string, a reflected pulse forms. Which of the following sketches
represents the reflected pulses?
Hint A.2.a Reflection of a wave pulse at a fixed end

When a wave pulse reaches the end of the string, it is reflected and travels in the opposite direction from the
initial pulse. If the end of the string is tied to a support and cannot move, the pulse becomes inverted upon
reflection.
Hint A.2.b Reflection of a wave pulse at a free end

If the end of the string is free to move, the direction of displacement of the reflected pulse is the same as that of
the initial pulse.
ANSWER:
nA
j
k
l
m
jB
k
l
m
n
iC
j
k
l
m
n
jD
k
l
m
n
ANSWER:
jA
k
l
m
n
jB
k
l
m
n
nC
i
j
k
l
m
jD
k
l
m
n
jE
k
l
m
n
jF
k
l
m
n
Part B
Consider the point where the two pulses start to overlap, point O in the figure. What is the displacement of point O
as these pulses interfere?

At any time, the displacement of point O is given by the algebraic sum of the displacements of the two pulses at
that point.
Part B.2 Displacement of point O if only one pulse were present

Let be a short interval of time after the two pulses have begun to overlap. If only the pulse coming from the
right were present, the displacement of point O at time would be . What would its displacement be if
only the other pulse were present?
Hint B.2.a Inverted pulses

Keep in mind that the two pulses are identical but inverted; thus their displacements are equal magnitude but
opposite.
Express your answer in terms of .
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
n It varies with time.
j
k
l
m
i It remains zero.
j
k
l
m
n
j It depends on the (identical) amplitude of the pulses.
k
l
m
n
j It is zero only when the pulses begin to overlap.
k
l
m
n
Part C
Why does destructive interference occur when the two pulses overlap instead of constructive interference?
ANSWER:
j because the pulses are traveling in opposite directions
k
l
m
n
i because a pulse is inverted upon reflection
j
k
l
m
n
j because the pulses are identical and cancel each other out
k
l
m
n
j because constructive interference occurs only when the pulses have the same amplitude
k
l
m
n
Part D
As the pulses interfere destructively there is a point in time when the string is perfectly straight. Which of the
following statements is true at this moment?
ANSWER:
j The energy of the string is zero.
k
l
m
n
n The string is not moving either up or down.

j
k
l
m
i The string has only kinetic energy.
j
k
l
m
n
When you apply a force to a string to produce a pulse, work is done on the string and energy is stored in it. As
the pulse travels along the string, this energy is transported. In particular, this energy is converted back and
forth between kinetic and potential energy as the particles in the string oscillate. When destructive interference
occurs and the string is momentarily straight, it does not mean that the string has zero energy. Rather, the
energy transported by the pulses has been completely converted into kinetic energy. A short time later, the
pulses will be reconstituted.
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P 201 F 08 HW 11 A

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P 201 F 08 HW 11 A

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MasteringPhysics: Assignment Print View Page 1 of 20

Assignment Display Mode: View Printable Answers

Due at 11:00pm on Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Energy of Harmonic Oscillators

The kinetic energy of the system is, as always,

Hint A.1 Consider the position of the block

Which moment corresponds to the minimum kinetic energy of the system?

Hint B.1 How does the velocity change?

Hint D.1 Consider the velocity of the block

Hint E.1 Consider the distance from equilibrium

Recalling what we found out before,

we can now conclude that

Hint F.1 Consider the potential energy

Hint G.1 How to approach the problem

Part G.2 Find the potential energy

Find the potential energy of the block at the moment labeled B.

Express your answer in terms of and .

Express your answer in terms of and .

Introduction to Simple Harmonic Motion

Part A.1 Find which force is the restoring force

Hint A.2 Hooke's law

Part B.1 Find the restoring force

Hint B.1.a Forces exerted on the block in the x direction

Express your answer in terms of some or all of the variables , , and .

Express your answer in terms of some or all of the variables , , and .

Hint C.1 A characteristic of equilibrium

Express your answer in terms of some or all of the variables , , and .

Hint D.1 How to approach the problem

Hint E.1 How to approach the problem

ANSWER: The magnitude of the block's

Hint F.1 How to approach the problem

ANSWER: The speed of the block is

Hint G.1 How to approach the problem

ANSWER: The speed of the block

Hint H.1 How to find the equation for acceleration

Hint H.2 How to find the equation for velocity

Standing Waves on a Guitar String

The left column shows the guitar string shape as a

The right column shows snapshots of the sinusoidal

Part A.1 Identify the wavelength of a sinusoidal shape

Express your answer in centimeters.

Thus the wavelength of the th pattern is

Hint B.1 How to approach the problem

Part B.2 Determine for the longest wavelength pattern

Express your answer in centimeters.

Hint C.1 How to approach the problem

You know enough about the fundamental to calculate .

Express your answer in meters per second.

The standing wave frequencies for this string are , , , etc.

Hint E.1 How to identify a fundamental within a series of frequencies

n This is a complex tone with a virtual pitch of 800

Two Loudspeakers in an Open Field

Hint A.1 How to approach the problem

Hint A.2 Constructive and destructive interference

Part A.3 Find the wavelength of the sound

Hint A.3.a Relationship between wavelength and frequency

travels; that is,

Express your answer in meters.

Hint B.1 How to approach the problem

Part B.2 Find the path-length difference at a point of destructive interference

Hint B.2.a Condition for destructive interference

Express your answer in meters.