Question

FIGURE EX16.9 is the snapshot graph at t = 0 s of a longitudinal wave. Draw the corresponding picture of the particle positions, as was done in Figure 16.9b. Let the equilibrium spacing between the particles be 1.0 cm

Short answer

The position of the particles when the wave passes through he medium has been shown

Step-by-step solution

Write the given information

The longitudinal wave snapshot graph is given
The equilibrium space between each particle is 1 cm

To analyze the snapshot graph and draw the particle positions when the wave passes through the medium.

The observations from the snapshot graph are:

• The wave causes no displacement till the distance of 3 cm
• The wave travels in an upward direction at a distance of 3 cm. The displacement of the wave is 0.5 cm
• The displacement remains constant till the distance of 8 cm
• The wave has no displacement from 8cm to 10 cm

The position of the particles is shown below:

1. The black dots represent the particles that are initially equally distant from each other.
2. As the longitudinal wave passes through the medium, the particles would get displaced from their equilibrium position.
3. The particles displaced on the right side represent the positive displacement