The top view diagram below shows two different springs connected at point J. Stu

Question

The top view diagram below shows two different springs connected at point J. Student 1 holds the left end of spring 1 and student 2 holds the right end of spring 2. At time t = 0, both students simultaneously create pulses on the string. A short time later, the spring is observed to have the shape shown below. Point J remained equidistant from both student 1 and student 2 throughout. At the instant shown, is the tension in spring 1 greater than, less than, or equal to the tension in spring 2? Explain. Is the linear mass density (mass per unit length) of spring 1 greater than, less than, or equal to the linear mass density of spring 2? Explain. If it is not possible to make this comparison, explain why not.

Explanation / Answer

Speed of transverse wave on the string of mass per unit length, mu and tension T is v = sqroot(T/mu)

3. Tension in each string is the same as both are connected, and hence by newtons laws, the tension in both the strings should be the same
4. now, as distance from the person to point J is the same
and pulse 1 is nearer to point J than pulse 2
so, V1 > V2
hence, T1/mu1 > T2/mu2
as T1 = T2
mu2 > mu1

so mass density of string 2 is greater than that of string 1

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