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Problem Set 4

This document is a problem sheet for a Mechanics & Waves course, containing ten problems related to wave mechanics, including calculations for wave amplitudes, speeds, frequencies, and interference patterns. Each problem provides specific parameters and asks for various physical quantities, with some answers included. The problems cover topics such as superposition of waves, standing waves, and interference patterns.

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haris mk
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2 views1 page

Problem Set 4

This document is a problem sheet for a Mechanics & Waves course, containing ten problems related to wave mechanics, including calculations for wave amplitudes, speeds, frequencies, and interference patterns. Each problem provides specific parameters and asks for various physical quantities, with some answers included. The problems cover topics such as superposition of waves, standing waves, and interference patterns.

Uploaded by

haris mk
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

PH 1002E Mechanics & Waves Problem Sheet -3 November 09, 2024

1. Two sinusoidal waves 𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑡) and 𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑡) have the same wavelength and travel together in the same
direction along a string (say in x-direction). Their amplitudes are 𝑦 = 4 𝑚𝑚 and 𝑦 = 3 𝑚𝑚, and their
phase constants are 0 and respectively. Find the amplitude and phase constant of the resultant wave and
express the resultant in the standard wave format.
(Ans: 𝑦 (𝑥, 𝑡) = (6.1 𝑚𝑚) sin(𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 0.44 𝑟𝑎𝑑) )
2. A uniform rope of mass 𝑚 and length 𝐿 hangs from a ceiling. Show that the speed of transverse waves
on the rope is a function of the vertical position along the rope and is given by 𝑣 = 𝑔𝑦. Show that the

time taken by a wave to traverse the entire length of the rope is 𝑡 = 2 .

3. What is the direction of propagation of the wave given by 𝑦(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝐴 cos(2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 4𝑧 − 5𝑡) ?
What is the frequency and wavelength of this wave? (Ans: 1.17 m; 0.8 Hz)

4. Standing waves are formed on a stretched string under tension of 1 N. The length of the string is 30 cm,
and it vibrates in three loops. If the mass per unit length of the wire is 10 mg cm–1, calculate the frequency
of the vibrations. (Ans: 158 Hz)

5. Find the resultant of the superposition of two harmonic waves in the form 𝐸 = 𝐸 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝛼 − 𝜔𝑡),
with amplitudes of 3 and 4 units and phases of and respectively. Both waves have a period of 1 s.

6. The speed of propagation of a surface wave in a liquid of depth much greater than the wavelength 𝜆 is
given by 𝑣 = + , where g = acceleration due to gravity, 𝜆 = wavelength, 𝜌 = density, 𝛾 = surface
tension. Compute the group velocity of a pulse in the long wavelength limit.

( )
7. Show that the following relations for the group velocity are true: 𝑣 = −𝜆 ; 𝑣 = + .
( )
Here, 𝜈 is the frequency, 𝑛 the refractive index, and 𝑐 the velocity of light.

8. Determine the intensity I of light at a certain point P of an interference pattern arising at the superposition
of two mutually coherent beams, if the intensities of these waves are I1= 4 W/m2 and I2= 1 W/m2, and the
phase difference at point P is 62.8 rad. ANSWER = 9 W/m2

9. Determine the visibility of the interference fringes produced by the superposition of the waves with
intensities I1= 2 mW/mm2 and I2= 4.5 mW/m2, if the the angle between oscillations of the waves form an
angle 30 deg. ANSWER = 0.8

10. In a Youngs double slit experimental setup, the distance from the central fringe to the fifth interference
maximum is 0.3 cm. The distance between the slits to the screen (observation plane) is 5 m, and the
separation between the centers of the slits is 0.5 cm. Determine the wavelength of the incident light.
ANSWER = 0.6 µm.

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