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One Dimensional Waves On String

One dimension wave on string derivation

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Ranveer Singh
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3 views

One Dimensional Waves On String

One dimension wave on string derivation

Uploaded by

Ranveer Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1-D Wave Equation of a Wave Generated in a String

Assumptions
Consider a perfectly flexible uniform string of length l and mass m stretched at both the
ends by Tension T. Tension T is uniform so that it has same value between any two points of
the string. Consider the string is disturbed, and the disturbed string undergoes a transverse
motion, which means the points on the string move only in the vertical direction and there is
no motion in the horizontal (longitudinal) direction. So, sum of the forces acting on the
horizontal direction will be zero. Hence, the string consider as a simple transverse oscillator.
Transverse waves driven by tensions on the string are plane polarized.

Consider a small element of the uniform string ∆x from point A to B of length ∆l (∆l ≅
∆x) undergoes transverse motion ∆y (vertical motion, Y components) driven by tension T
difference acting parallel to each end of the string. Tensions at both ends are only forces acting
on the small element of the string and we neglect the gravitational force, since the gravitational
forces on the string is negligible

Tensions at both ends are only forces acting on the small element of the string and we
neglect the gravitational force. The y components vary with time and x (the position along the
string at which we choose to observe the oscillation). So, the wave equation relate the
displacement y of a single oscillator to distance x and time t. Let the angle created by the tension
T at the point A is θ1 and point B is θ2.
The force acted on the string at a point A F1 = T sin θ1

The force acted on the string at a point B F2 = T sin θ2

Since the two forces are acting in opposite direction, the net force F = F2 - F1

F = F2 - F1 = T sin θ2 - T sin θ1 = T (sin θ2 – sin θ1) .... 1

Since the θ is small, sin θ = tan θ.

Eqn. 1 becomes

F = T (tan θ2 – tan θ1) ---2


𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
From the Figure tan 𝜃1 = ( ) ; tan 𝜃2 = ( )
𝜕𝑥 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 x+∆𝑥

Eqn. 2 becomes
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
F = 𝑇 [( ) − ( ) ] -----3
𝜕𝑥 x+∆𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝑥

The difference between the two terms in the bracket defines the differential
𝜕𝑦
coefficient of the partial derivative times the space interval ∆𝑥, so that the force
𝜕𝑥

can be written as
𝜕2 𝑦
F = 𝑇(
𝜕𝑥 2
) ∆𝑥 ….4

Wave motion on string follows Newton’s Second Law of motion

F = ma

If µ is the linear mass density, then µ = m/∆x. (Density = mass/length of the string
considered)

m = ∆x µ
𝜕2 𝑦
F = ∆x µ ….5
𝜕𝑡 2
Comparing Eqn 4 and 5

𝜕2 𝑦 𝜕2 𝑦
𝑇( ) ∆𝑥 =∆x µ 𝜕𝑡 2
𝜕𝑥 2

𝜕2 𝑦 µ 𝜕2 𝑦
= ⁄𝑇 …6
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑡 2

General one-dimensional wave Eqn is


𝜕2 𝜑 1 𝜕2 𝜑
= ….7
𝜕𝑥 2 𝑣 2 𝜕𝑡 2

Where 𝑣 is the velocity of the wave.

By comparing the Eqn. 6 and 7, we get

𝑣 2 = 𝑇⁄µ

𝑣 = √𝑇⁄µ

𝑣 is the velocity of the wave, T – tension applied on the string, and µ - linear
mass density.

Dimensional analysis

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