Length of a Steel Wire (Standing Waves)

In summary, given a copper wire and steel wire with identical diameters and tensions, the frequency of the third resonant mode for the copper wire is equal to the fourth resonant mode for the steel wire. By using the relevant equations for frequency and length, we can solve for the length of the steel wire (L_s) in terms of the length of the copper wire (L_c) and the densities of copper (ρ_c) and steel (ρ_s). By looking up the density of copper, we can then solve for the length of the steel wire, which is 4/3 times the length of the copper wire, multiplied by the square root of the ratio of copper density to steel density.
  • #1
smashd
10
1
Question: A copper wire and steel wire with identical diameters are placed under identical tensions. The frequency of the third resonant mode for the copper wire is found to be the same as the frequency of the fourth resonant mode for the steel wire. If the length of the copper wire is 3.44 m and the density of steel is 7.85 g/cc, find the length of the steel wire.

Known Values: ## ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ L_c = 3.44 ~ m ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ρ_s = 7.85 ~ g/cc ##

Relevant Equations: ## ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ƒ_n = \frac{v}{λ_n} ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ λ_n = \frac{2L}{n} ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{μ}} ##

Attempt at a Solution:

[tex] ƒ_{3-c} = ƒ_{4-s} [/tex]
[tex] \frac{v_c}{λ_{3-c}} = \frac{v_s}{λ_{4-s}} [/tex]
[tex] \frac{\sqrt{\frac{T}{μ_c}}}{λ_{3-c}} = \frac{\sqrt{\frac{T}{μ_s}}}{λ_{4-s}} [/tex]
[tex] μ_c = \frac{m_c}{L_c} ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ρ_c = \frac{m_c}{V_c} ~ ~ ~ ⇒ ~ ~ ~ m_c = ρ_c ~ V_c = ρ_c ~ π ~ r^2 ~ L_c[/tex]
[tex] μ_c = ρ_c ~ π ~ r^2 [/tex]​
[tex] μ_c = \frac{m_s}{L_s} ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ρ_s = \frac{m_s}{V_s} ~ ~ ~ ⇒ ~ ~ ~ m_s = ρ_s ~ V_s = ρ_s ~ π ~ r^2 ~ L_s[/tex]
[tex] μ_s = ρ_s ~ π ~ r^2 [/tex]​
[tex] \frac{\sqrt{\frac{T}{ρ_c ~ π ~ r^2}}}{\frac{2}{3} ~ L_c} = \frac{\sqrt{\frac{T}{ρ_s ~ π ~ r^2}}}{\frac{1}{2} ~ L_s} [/tex]
[tex] \frac{\frac{T}{ρ_c ~ π ~ r^2}}{\frac{4}{9} ~ L_{c}^2} = \frac{\frac{T}{ρ_s ~ π ~ r^2}}{\frac{1}{4} ~ L_{s}^2} [/tex]
[tex] \frac{T}{\frac{4}{9} ~ ρ_c ~ π ~ r^2 ~ L_{c}^2} = \frac{T}{\frac{1}{4} ~ ρ_s ~ π ~ r^2 ~ L_{s}^2} [/tex]
[tex] \frac{4}{9} ~ ρ_c ~ L_{c}^2 = \frac{1}{4} ~ ρ_s ~ L_{s}^2 [/tex]
[tex]∴ ~ L_{s} = \frac{4}{3} ~ L_{c} ~ \sqrt{\frac{ρ_c}{ρ_s}} [/tex]

My problem is that I don't know what ## ρ_c ## is. Any ideas how to solve this? Am I even going about this the right way?
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Meh... The density of copper was something that's just supposed to be looked up. I thought I was supposed to solve for it another way. It's 8.96 g/cc.

Never mind, problem solved!
 

Related to Length of a Steel Wire (Standing Waves)

1. What is the relationship between the length of a steel wire and the standing wave produced?

The length of a steel wire has a direct relationship with the standing wave produced. As the length of the wire increases, the wavelength of the standing wave also increases. This means that the longer the wire, the lower the frequency of the standing wave.

2. How does the tension of the wire affect the length of the standing wave?

The tension of the wire does not affect the length of the standing wave. It only affects the frequency of the wave. The length of the wire remains the same regardless of the tension applied.

3. Can the length of the wire affect the amplitude of the standing wave?

No, the length of the wire does not affect the amplitude of the standing wave. The amplitude is determined by the energy put into the system and the properties of the medium, not the length of the wire.

4. How does the thickness of the wire impact the length of the standing wave?

The thickness of the wire does not have a direct impact on the length of the standing wave. However, it can affect the tension and density of the wire, which in turn can affect the frequency and wavelength of the wave.

5. What factors can affect the accuracy of measuring the length of a steel wire for standing waves?

The accuracy of measuring the length of a steel wire for standing waves can be affected by factors such as the precision of the measuring instrument, temperature and humidity of the environment, and the tension of the wire while measuring. It is important to control these factors to ensure accurate measurements.

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