Physics 71 DQ 16

Discussion Quiz 16 (40 points)

Class No. & Surname:
U  U-1  U-2  U-3  U-4
Answer each question completely in the spaces provided. This is a closed notes quiz but you
are allowed to discuss with your classmate. Round your final answer properly and box it.
Explicitly state the coordinate system you used. Use g = 9.80 [m/s2 ].

1. A mass is vibrating at the end of a spring of force constant 225 N m. The following
figure shows a graph of its position x as a function of time t.
(a) [2 pts] At what times is the mass not moving?

Solution: t = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 [s]

(b) [3 pts] How much energy did this system originally contain?

Solution: At t = 0, vx = 0 and x = 7.0 [cm] so E0 = 12 kx2 = 0.55 [J]

(c) [5 pts] How much energy did the system lose between t = 1.0 [s] and t = 4.0 [s]?
Where did this energy go?

Solution: At t = 1.0 [s], vx = 0 and x = −6.0 [cm] so E1 = 12 kx2 = 0.405 [J]

At t = 4.0 [s], vx = 0 and x = 3.0 [cm] so E4 = 12 kx2 = 0.101 [J]
E1 − E4 = 0.30 [J] .
The mechanical energy lost was converted to other forms of energy by noncon-
servative forces, such as friction, air resistance and other dissipative forces.
Physics 71 DQ 16

2. [3 pts] It’s so easy it hertz. A wave on a string is described by the function

y(x, t) = (2.1) cos[(6.1)x − (4.9)t]

(in SI units). What is the frequency of the wave?

A. 0.78 Hz C. 4.9 Hz
B. 1.3 Hz D. 3.6 Hz

Solution: From the function, the coefficient of t is ω = 2πf . So

ω 4.9
f= = = 0.78 Hz
2π 2π

3. [3 pts] Wiggle wiggle. You wiggle one end of a wire and produce a traveling wave
with wavelength λ. What is the new wavelength if you pulled the wire with tension
that is four times as large as before? Assume that you wiggle the rope with the same
frequency.
A. λ/4 C. 2λ
B. λ/2 D. 4λ

Solution:
√
v = F/µ wave speed will be doubled. Same frequency, faster wave, then wave-
length must also double.

4. [3 pts] Class Standing. Which of the following statements are true about standing
waves on a string?
I. Standing wave pattern does not appear to move in any direction.
II. Standing wave is a result of superposition of two waves traveling in the same
direction
III. Nodes of standing waves are position where the displacement is always zero.
A. I and II only C. I and III only
B. II and III only D. all of the above

Solution: conditions for standing wave

Physics 71 DQ 16

5. [3 pts] Is it long? A string fixed in both ends is plucked producing a 3rd harmonic
(n = 3) frequency of 12 Hz. If the wave speed is 24 m/s, how long is the string?
A. 2.0 m
B. 6.0 m
C. 0.67 m
D. 3.0 m

Solution:
v
f3 = 3f1 = 3 (1)
λ
v
f3 = 3 (2)
2L
3v
L = =3 (3)
2f3

6. [3 pts] Lambda Kadabra! Consider a transverse wave described by a wavefunction

y(x, t) = 4.20 cm cos[(31 rad/m) · x − (98 rad/s) · t]. What is the wavelength of the
transverse wave?
A. 0.20 m
B. 0.03 m
C. 1.5 m
D. 98 m

Solution: λ = 2π/k =

7. [3 pts] Tensyonado. A waves travel at a speed of v

on a vertical taut string when an object with weight
W is hanging on it. If a second object with weight W
is added, what will be the wave speed on the string?
A. 2v
√
B. 2v
C. v
√
D. v/ 2
Physics 71 DQ 16

Solution:
√ The wave speed on a string is given by
v = Tµ
√
doubling the tension will increase the speed by a factor of 2

8. [3 pts] WerPa. A transverse wave traveling along a string transports energy at a rate
P . By what factor must the amplitude be increased to double this rate P ?
A. 8
B. 2
√
C. 2
√
D. 8

Solution:
√ The rate of energy transfer in waves is proportional to A2
P ∝ µF ω 2 A2

9. [3 pts] Twins. Two wave pulses with amplitudes X

and Y approach each other as shown in the figure.
What would be the maximum amplitude of the
resulting pulse when the two waves meet?
A. 0
B. X + Y
C. |X − Y |
D. 12 (X + Y )

Solution: AR = X + Y

10. [3 pts] Harmonious. A 1.50- m long rope is stretched between two supports and
the transverse wave travels on it at speed of 48.0 m/s. What is the wavelength and
frequency of the 2nd harmonic?
A. λ = 1.50 m and f = 16.0 Hz
B. λ = 0.750 m and f = 32.0 Hz
C. λ = 0.750 m and f = 16.0 Hz
D. λ = 1.50 m and f = 32.0 Hz
Physics 71 DQ 16

Solution: second harmonic is n = 2

λ2 = 2L/n = 2(1.50m)/2 = 1.50m
f2 = (2)v/2L = (48.0m/s)/1.50m = 32Hz

11. [3 pts] Respect the boundary. Which of the following statement/s is/are TRUE
about a wave reflected on a boundary?
I. The reflected wave undergoes a 180◦ phase change if it hits a hard boundary
II. The reflected wave has no phase change if it hits a soft boundary
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II
D. None of them are true

Solution: The reflected wave undergoes a 180◦ phase change if it hits a hard bound-
ary
The reflected wave no phase change if it hits a soft boundary