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- Feb 11, 2012
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Im not quite sure why tension affects wave speed the way it does.
The explanation I've found in my studies goes something like this:
If you imagine a wave moving through a string, the molecules of the medium are displaced as it passes through. The more tension there is in the string, the more resistance it creates against that movement (almost like a hooke's law force). Thus, the tension makes the material snap back to the equilibrium position faster.
Thats all fine and dandy, BUT:
Shouldn't the tension also make it harder for the medium to be displaced upwards as the wave just begins to pass through as well?
In other words, the explanation above only considers the tensions affect in making the medium snap back faster. But, by this same rationale, it should also move up slower. Seems to me that both effects should cancel and there should be no affect on wavespeed.
The explanation I've found in my studies goes something like this:
If you imagine a wave moving through a string, the molecules of the medium are displaced as it passes through. The more tension there is in the string, the more resistance it creates against that movement (almost like a hooke's law force). Thus, the tension makes the material snap back to the equilibrium position faster.
Thats all fine and dandy, BUT:
Shouldn't the tension also make it harder for the medium to be displaced upwards as the wave just begins to pass through as well?
In other words, the explanation above only considers the tensions affect in making the medium snap back faster. But, by this same rationale, it should also move up slower. Seems to me that both effects should cancel and there should be no affect on wavespeed.