Single Choice

The amplitude of a wave disturbance propagating in the positive $$x-$$-direction is given by: $$y=\dfrac{1}{1+x^2}$$ at $$t=0$$ and $$y=\dfrac{1}{[1+(x-1)^2]}$$ at $$t=2$$ sec. Where, $$x$$ and $$y$$ are in meters. If the shape of the wave disturbance does not change during the propagation, what is the velocity of the wave?

A$$1\ m/s$$
B$$1.5\ m/s$$
C$$0.5\ m/s$$
Correct Answer
D$$2\ m/s$$

Solution

From the given $$y(x)$$ equations at two different times we can see that the value of y is maximum $$( = 1 \ m) $$ at $$x = 0$$ at $$ t = 0$$ and at $$ x= 1$$ at $$ t = 2$$.
So, the peak of the wave pulse has travelled a distance of $$ 1 \ m$$ (from $$ x=0$$ to $$x = 1$$) in $$ 2 \ s$$ along positive x - direction.
Hence, the wave velocity is:
$$ v = \frac{1}{2} = 0.5 \ m/s$$
The correct answer is $$Option \ C: 0.5 \ m/s$$


SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Physical World

The equation of a travelling sound wave is $$y = 6.0 \sin (600 t - 1.8 x)$$ where y is measured in $$10^{-5}m$$ in second and $$x$$ in meter. (a) Find the ratio of the displacement amplitude of the particles to the wavelength of the wave. (b) Find the ratio of the velocity amplitude of the particles to the wave speed.

Physical World

If a wave propagates through a medium, then the velocity of particle of medium is given by :

Physical World

A sinusoidal transverse wave of amplitude $$ y_{m} $$ and wavelength $$ \lambda $$ travels on a stretched cord. Find the ratio of the maximum particle speed (the speed with which a single particle in the cord moves transverse to the wave) to the wave speed.

Physical World

The diagram shows an instantaneous position of a string as a transverse progressive wave travels along it from left to right. Which one of the following correctly shows the direction of the velocity of the points $$1,\, 2$$ and $$3$$ on the string?

Physical World

The equation of a travelling wave is given by $$y=0.1\sin \left(\dfrac{5}{11}\pi x-10\pi t\right)$$ where $$y$$ and $$x$$ are in $$cm$$ and $$t$$ in second. The maximum speed of a particle of the medium due to wave is:

Physical World

A transverse wave is described by the equation $$y= y_{0}sin 2\pi \left ( ft-\frac{x}{\lambda } \right )$$ The maximum particle velocity is equal to four time the wave velocity if

Physical World

The equation of a progressive wave travelling along a string is given by $$y = 10 \,sin\pi \,(0.01x - 2.00t)$$ where x and y are in centimetres and t in seconds. Find the (i) velocity of a particle at $$x = 2 \,m$$ and $$t = \dfrac{5}{6 }\,s.$$ (ii) acceleration of a particle at $$x = 1 \,m$$ and $$t = \dfrac{1}{4} \,s.$$ Also find the velocity amplitude and acceleration amplitude for the wave.

Physical World

A travelling wave pulse is given by $$y = \dfrac {0.8}{(3x^2 + 12xt + 12 t^2 + 4)}$$ where x and y are in m and t is in s. Find the velocity and amplitude of the wave.

Physical World

The equation of a wave travelling on a string is $$y = 4\,sin \dfrac {\pi}{2}\left ( 8t - \dfrac {x}{8} \right )$$ if x and y are in centimetres, then velocity of wave is

Contact Details