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    1 Phy

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    1 Phy

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    1phy

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    1 Phy

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    of 3

    BPHY101P

    Wave equation on a string


    Let’s consider a string that has a mass per unit length is μ. It is stretched by a tension T, which is much
    larger than the weight of the string and its equilibrium position is along the x-axis. This diagram shows
    a short section of the string, stretched in the x direction, and the forces acting on it. Our analysis only
    applies for small deformations, for which the string is a linear medium, and we neglect the
    gravitational force on the string (which in any case is constant).

    One consequence of this restriction to small deformations is that the angle θ between the string and
    the x direction is much smaller than 1, so sin θ ≅ θ and cos θ ≅ 1. (On our diagram, however, the
    deformation has been exaggerated for clarity.) It also follows that the length of the segment shown is
    dx

    Let's apply Newton's second law in the vertical y direction:

    Fy = may

    The sum of forces in the y direction is

    Fy = T sin θ2 − T sin θ1.

    Using the small angle approximation, sin θ ≅ tan θ = ∂y/∂x. So we may write:
    𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
    𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇 ( ) − 𝑇( )
    𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥 1
    So the total force depends on the difference in slope between the two ends: if the string were straight,
    no matter what its slope, the two forces would add up to zero. Now let's get quantitative. The mass
    per unit length is μ, so its mass dm = μdx. The acceleration in the y direction is the rate of change in
    the y velocity, so ay = ∂vy/∂t = ∂2y/∂t2. So we can write Newton’s second law in the y direction as

    𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕2𝑦
    𝐹𝑦 = 𝑇 [( ) − ( ) ] = 𝜇 𝑑𝑥 2
    𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥 1 𝜕𝑡
    Rearranging this gives
    𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
    [( ) − ( ) ]
    𝜕2𝑦 𝑇 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥 1
    =
    𝜕𝑡 2 𝜇 𝑑𝑥
    Now we have been using the subscript 1 to identify the position x, and 2 to identify the position (x+dx).
    So the numerator in the last term on the right is difference between the (first) derivatives at these
    BPHY101P

    two points. When we divide it by dx, we get the rate of change of the first derivative with respect to
    x, which is, by definition, the second derivative, so we have derived the wave equation:

    𝜕2𝑦 𝑇 𝜕2𝑦
    =
    𝜕𝑡 2 𝜇 𝜕𝑥 2
    So the acceleration (on the left) is proportional to the tension T and inversely proportional to the mass
    per unit length μ. It is also proportional to ∂2y/∂x2. So the greater curvature in the string produces a
    greater acceleration and, a straight portion is not accelerated.

    Dimensions of T/µ

    T  MLT −2 
    = =  L2T −2 
      ML 
    −1

    T
    the above expression indiaates the the dimensions of is square of velocity

    i.e.
    T
    v2 =

    T
    v=

    BPHY101P

    General solution of the wave equation


    One of the most popular techniques, however, is this: choose a likely function, test to see if it is a
    solution and, if necessary, modify it. So, let's use what we already know. We know that sine waves can
    propagate in a one-dimensional medium like a string. And we know that any function 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑣𝑝 𝑡) is a
    wave travelling at speed vp.

    y = f ( x − v pt )
     = x − v pt (1)
    Using the chain rule
    y y 
    =
    x  x
    differentating (1) wrt 'x'
    
    =1
    x
    y
    = f ' (2)
    x
    differentating above equarion (2) wrt 'x 'and using the chain rule again
      y    f '   f '
     = ( f )= = = f ''
    '
    (3)
    x  x  x   x  
    Similarly,
    y y 
    =
    t  t
    differentating (1) wrt 't'
    
    = −v p
    t
    y y
    = −v p = −v p f '
    t 
    differentating above equarion wrt 't'
      y   f '   f '   2 f '
      = − v p  = − v p  = vp = v 2p f '' (4)
    t  t    t    t  

    from equarion (3) and (4)


      y  2   y 
      = vp  
    t  t  x  x 
    2 y 2  y
    2
    = vp 2
    t 2 x
    Similarly, one can show that 𝑓(𝑥 + 𝑣𝑝 𝑡) will also be the solution of the wave equation. Furthermore,
    the linear combination of 𝑓(𝑥 ± 𝑣𝑝 𝑡) will also be the solution. 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑣𝑝 𝑡) represents the wave
    travelling to +𝑥-direction, while 𝑓(𝑥 + 𝑣𝑝 𝑡) to −𝑥-direction.

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