Solution Found!
Slinky Stretch: Calculating Transverse Wave Speed
Chapter 11, Problem 17(choose chapter or problem)
Questions & Answers
QUESTION: A 0.62-kg Slinky has 185 coils. When you and your friend stretch the Slinky by exerting a 2.0-N force on its ends, the separation between the adjacent coils is 7 cm. Determine the speed of the transverse wave on the Slinky.
ANSWER:Step 1 of 3
Wave Speed: The speed of a wave on a string or in some other one-dimensional medium depends on how hard the string or the medium is pulled \(F\) and on the mass per unit length \(\mu = \frac{m}{L}\) of the medium:
\(v = \sqrt {\frac{F}{\mu }} \)
Given data:
Mass of the Slinky, \(m = 0.62\;{\rm{kg}}\)
A number of coils of the Slinky, \(N = 185\)
A force pulling on the Slinky, \(F = 2\;{\rm{N}}\)
The distance between the Slinky's adjacent coils, \(d = 7\;{\rm{cm}}\)
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Slinky Stretch: Calculating Transverse Wave Speed
Want To Learn More? To watch the entire video and ALL of the videos in the series:
Discover the fascinating world of Slinky physics as we explore the speed of transverse waves when this iconic toy is stretched by a 2.0-N force. Dive into the science behind the Slinky's behavior!