ENSH, Blida Physic 4: 2024/2025

Problem set 2
(The vibrating string)

Exercise 1: The equation for a transverse wave moving along a very long string is:

y(x,t)=6.00sin(0.02πx−4.00πt+1.25)

Where x and y are in centimeters, and t is in seconds. Determine the following:

- The amplitude, wavelength, frequency, the wave propagation speed, the maximum velocity
of a point on the string, the direction of wave propagation, the transverse displacement, and
the velocity of the point located at x=3.5 cm at the instant t=0.26 s.

Exercise 2: An infinite string with a linear mass density μ is subjected to a constant tension T0
. A point mass M is attached to the string at x = 0. A wave with angular frequency 𝜔 arrives
from − ∞ and propagates in the positive x direction. The weight of the string is neglected to
study the small displacements y(x,t) of the string.

X
X =0

1- Write the expressions for y1 (x,t) for x<0 and y2 (x,t) for x>0 in terms of the reflection
coefficient R and the transmission coefficient T for the displacement at x=0.
2- Show that the transverse force acting on M can be expressed as:
𝜕𝑢2 (0,𝑡) 𝜕𝑢1 (0,𝑡)
F(0,t) = T0[ − ]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥

3- Using the continuity of displacements at x = 0 and applying the fundamental relation of

dynamics to the mass M, determine the reflection coefficient R at x = 0

4- What are the limiting values of R when M 0 et M ∞?

Exercise 3: A homogeneous string with linear mass density μ is stretched with a tension T
much greater than its weight, along the axis x′Ox from −∞ to x=0. At x=0, it is terminated by a
spring with stiffness K and a negligible mass m. A transverse wave is sent from −∞ and
propagates along the string. We write: y(x,t) = A 𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝑘𝑥) .

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1- By applying the fundamental relation of dynamics, determine the terminal impedance 𝑍𝑇 at
x=0 and deduce the value of the reflection coefficient at this point, specifying its magnitude and
phase.

𝑘
2- Study the behaviour of the system in the case where 𝜔 = √𝑚.

3- What will be observed when m is infinite k infinite?

Incident wave Y

m x
µ,T
𝒌

Exercise 4: A homogeneous string with linear mass density μ is stretched with a tension T
much greater than its weight, along the axis x′Ox from −∞ to x=0. At x=0, it is terminated by a
damper with a viscous damping coefficient α. A transverse wave is sent from −∞ and propagates
along the string. We write: y(x,t) = A 𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝑘𝑥) ..

1- By applying the fundamental relation of dynamics, determine the terminal impedance 𝑍𝑇 at

x=0 and deduce the value of the reflection coefficient at this point, specifying its magnitude and
phase.
2- Give the expression for the resulting displacement y(x,t) of a point x on the string in the case
where μT>α and write it in the form y(x,t) = 𝑌0 𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝑘𝑥). Express 𝑌0 in terms of yi , and Y(x) in
terms of R, Yi, k, and x.

3- Discuss these cases where 𝛼 = 0, 𝛼 infinite and 𝛼 = √µ𝑇.

Incident wave Y

µ,T
𝜶

Exercise 5: Let there be a homogeneous string of length L, with linear mass density μ\muμ,
subjected to a tension T0. A plane harmonic wave (monochromatic with angular frequency ω)

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propagates along this string. The solution to its equation of motion (the propagation equation)
gives the transverse displacements

y(x,t) = A 𝑒 𝑖(𝜔𝑡−𝑘𝑥) + B 𝑒 𝑖(𝜔𝑡+𝑘𝑥)

A and B are two constants, and k represents the magnitude of the wave vector.
1- Write the boundary conditions at x=0 and x=L for cases (a) and (b). Deduce from the obtained
relations the equations for the natural frequencies (eigenfrequencies). Establish the relationship
between the wavelength λ and the length L of the string.
2- Draw the appearance of the string (a) and (b) for the fundamental mode as well as the first
harmonic.
3- Write the boundary conditions with respect to the impedances Z(0) and Z(L) for figure (c),
and with respect to the coefficients R(0) and R(L) for the string in figure (d). Draw the
appearance of the string (c) for the second harmonic. Find the frequency of the third harmonic
of the string (d). Conclusion and remarks?

Figure (a)
Fixed Fixed

Figure (b)
Free Free

Figure (c)
Fixed Free

Figure (d)
Free Fixed

Exercise 6: Consider a string of length L and linear mass µ stretched horizontally with constant
tension T. One of its ends (A), at abscissa x=0, is free. One end (A), abscissa x=0, is free. The
other end (B), abscissa x=L, is connected to a spring of stiffness C, whose other end is connected
to the ground. V is the velocity of propagation of transverse waves along the string. The
displacement at any point x on the rope is expressed as:
𝜔
𝑦(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝐴𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝑘𝑥) + 𝐵 𝑒 𝑗(𝜔𝑡+𝑘𝑥) 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑘 =
𝑉
1- By writing the condition at x = 0, show that standing waves are established, described by a
transverse displacement of the form y(x,t)=f(x)g(t) where f(x) is a function to be explained.
2- By writing the boundary condition at x=L, deduce the equation for the natural frequencies.

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3- Draw the shape of the string when it vibrates at its lowest frequency:

a- In the case where D = 0.

b- In the case where D is infinite.

Exercise 7: A string of length L and linear mass density μ\muμ is stretched with a tension T. It
is attached to a fixed support at the end x=L. The end at x=0 is subjected to a sinusoidal force
of amplitude 𝐹0 and angular frequency ω. Let y(x,t) represent the displacement of a point at
position x on the string at time t.
1- a- Provide the boundary conditions at x=0 and x=L.
b- Show that y(x,t) can be expressed as : y(x,t) = 𝜓(x) 𝜙(t).
c- Give the expression ψ(x) as a function of 𝐹0 , the wavenumber k, L and T
2- Determine the positions of the points of maximum amplitude (antinodes) as a function
of the wavelength λ and the length L of the string. What is the distance between two
successive nodes.
3- What must be the angular frequency of the force f(t) to observe the resonance
phenomenon.

𝑭𝟎 𝒆𝒋𝝎𝒕

𝟎 𝑳