MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Physics 8.03 20 October 1969

Problem Set 4

Two idential pendulums are connected by a light coupling

spring. Each pendulum has a length of 0.4 m, and they are at
a place where g = 9.8 m/sec 2 . With the coupling spring con- k
Sr
nected, one pendulum is clamped and the period of the other is m m
found to be 1.25 sec exactly.
(a) With neither pendulum clamped, what are the periods of the two
normal modes?
Ans: 1.27 sec, 1.23 sec

(b) What is the time interval between successive maximum possible

amplitudes of one pendulum after one pendulum is drawn aside and
released?
Ans: 42 sec

2. Find the Fourier series for the following functions (0<x<L)

(a) y(x) = Ax(L - x)
(b) y(x) = A sin(7rx/L)
A sin(27rx/L) 0<x<L/2
(c) y(x) 0 L/2<X<LJ
00
Ans: y(x) = , B sin(mrx/L), where

(a) Bn ~_ /8AL2/(mr) n odd

n even

(b) B-L = A, = 0 if n

irrCn*-A) n odd
(c) Bn = / n = 2
O n even, n

(continued on reverse side)

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Problem Set 4

The general solution to the wave equation

3 2y - 1 3 2y
t
is y = any function of (x-vt) or (x+vt).
th is am az in gly ge ne ra l re su lt by tryi ng ou t so lutions
Test
such as
a. y* = A(x+vt) c. y = sin (x-vt)
b. y = B(x-vt) 2 . y = e j(x-vt)
th at th e pa rt ia l de ri va ti ve s ar e re mi nd er s to hold t
Note an d vi ce vers a. y
constant wh en ta ki ng the x- de ri va ti ve

on a str ing are observ ed as a tra vel ing wa ve passes them.

Two points
nts are at -., = 0 and x2 = 1 m. The tra nsv ers e motions of the
The poi
two points are found to be as follows:
y-" = 0.2 sin 3irt
y 2 = 0.2 sin (3irt + ir/8)
(a) What is the frequency in cycles/sec?
(b) What is the wavelength?
(c) With what speed does the wave travel?
wa y is the wa ve tra vel ing ? Sho w how yo u rea ch this
(d) Which

conclusion.
(e) A symmet rical triangular pul se of ma xi mu-m height 0.4 m
TYl -----

1.0 A is mov ing to the rig ht with the pul se entirely

and to'tal length
0 and x= lm at t= 0. Dra w a gra ph of the trans-
located between x =
ty vs tim e at x = x2 = +1 m (As sum e tha t the pulse has the
verse veloci
speed you calculated in part c.)