Waves Physics Example 2

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Example 2

medium
A wave pulse travels along a rope at 4 m/s4 \text{ m/s}. The rope is 12 m12 \text{ m} long with one end fixed. How long does it take for the pulse to travel to the fixed end and return?

Solution

  1. 1
    Time to reach the fixed end: t1=dv=124=3 st_1 = \frac{d}{v} = \frac{12}{4} = 3 \text{ s}.
  2. 2
    The wave reflects at the fixed end and travels back the same distance.
  3. 3
    Total round-trip time: ttotal=2×3=6 st_{\text{total}} = 2 \times 3 = 6 \text{ s}

Answer

ttotal=6 st_{\text{total}} = 6 \text{ s}
Waves reflect when they encounter a boundary. At a fixed end, the wave inverts upon reflection. The round-trip time depends on the wave speed and twice the rope length.

About Waves

A disturbance that transfers energy and information through space or a medium without permanently displacing the matter it travels through.

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