A pulse travelling on a string is represented by the function
y=a3(x−vt)2+a2,
where a = 5 mm and v=20 cm s−1. Sketch the shape of the string at t = 0, 1s and 2s. Take x = 0 in the middle of the string.
The pulse is given by,
y=[(a)3[(x−vt)2+a2]]
a = 5 mm
= 0.5 cm,
v = 20 cm/s
At t = 0s,y=a3(x2+a2)
The graph between y and x can be plotted by taking different values of x.
(left as exercise for the student).
Similarly, at t = 1s,
y=a3{(x−v)2+a2}
and at t = 2s, y=a3{(x−2v)2+a2}