Online reading assignment: waves

Physics 205A, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students have a bi-weekly online reading assignment (hosted by SurveyMonkey.com), where they answer questions based on reading their textbook, material covered in previous lectures, opinion questions, and/or asking (anonymous) questions or making (anonymous) comments. Full credit is given for completing the online reading assignment before next week's lecture, regardless if whether their answers are correct/incorrect. Selected results/questions/comments are addressed by the instructor at the start of the following lecture.

The following questions were asked on reading textbook chapters and previewing a presentation on waves.


Selected/edited responses are given below.

Describe what you understand from the assigned textbook reading or presentation preview. Your description (2-3 sentences) should specifically demonstrate your level of understanding.

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Describe what you found confusing from the assigned textbook reading or presentation preview. Your description (2-3 sentences) should specifically identify the concept(s) that you do not understand.

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A string of a given length has a certain linear mass density (mass/length) value. If this string is cut in half, then its linear mass density will:

decrease.	[]
remain constant.	[]
increase.	[]
(Unsure/lost/guessing/help!)	[]

The top and bottom waves have the same frequency, but different amplitudes. Identify which waves have the greater wave parameter.
(Only correct responses shown.)

Faster wave speed v: there is (approximately) a tie. [%]
Longer wavelength λ: there is (approximately) a tie. [%]

The top and bottom waves have the same amplitude, but different frequencies. Identify which waves have the greater wave parameter.
(Only correct responses shown.)

Faster wave speed v: there is (approximately) a tie. [%]
Longer wavelength λ: top wave (low frequency f). [%]

This wave travels from the left section to the right section of this apparatus. Identify along which section the waves have the greater wave parameter.
(Only correct responses shown.)

Faster wave speed v: Along the right apparatus. [%]
Longer wavelength λ: along the right apparatus. [%]
Higher frequency f: there is (approximately) a tie. [%]

For transverse waves on a string, classify each of these parameters are being "independent" (able to be changed without affecting other independent parameters), or "dependent" (will be changed when independent values are changed).
(Only correct responses shown.)

Amplitude A: independent. [%]
Wave speed v: independent. [%]
Frequency f: independent. [%]
Wavelength λ: dependent. [%]

Ask the instructor an anonymous question, or make a comment. Selected questions/comments may be discussed in class.

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