A uniform rope of length L and mass m1 hangs vertically from a rigid support. A block of mass m2 is attached to the free end of the rope. A transverse pulse of wavelength 1 is produced at the lower end of the rope. The wavelength of the pulse when it reaches the top of the rope is 2. The ratio 2/ 1 is
- m2m1
- m1 + m2m1
- m1m2
- m1 + m2m2
Answer
(4) m1 + m2m2
Solution
Wave speed on a string: v = T ; the frequency stays the same along the rope ⇒ v T
Tension at the lower end: T1 = m2 g
Tension at the top: T2 = (m1 + m2)g
∴ 2 1 = T2T1 = m1 + m2m2
Answer: (4)