A transverse wave pulse is generated at one end of a long string. The string's linear mass density μ increases linearly from one end to the other, while the tension T is uniform throughout. How d

Question

A transverse wave pulse is generated at one end of a long string. The string's linear mass density μ increases linearly from one end to the other, while the tension T is uniform throughout. How does the wave speed change as the pulse travels from the lighter end to the heavier end?

TestHub · Accepted Answer

The speed of a transverse wave on a string is given by $v = \frac{T}{μ}$ .

Given that the tension $T$ is uniform and the linear mass density $μ$ increases linearly from the lighter end to the heavier end.

As the pulse travels from the lighter end (smaller $μ$ ) to the heavier end (larger $μ$ ), the value of $μ$ increases. Therefore, the wave speed $v$ will decrease.

Physics - Wave on String Question with Solution | TestHub

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