An ant with mass m is standing peacefully on top of a horizontal, stretched rope. The rope has mass per unit length m and is under tension F. Without warning, Cousin Throckmorton starts a sinusoidal transverse wave of wavelength l propagating along the rope. The motion of the rope is in a vertical plane. What minimum wave amplitude will make the ant become momentarily weightless? Assume that m is so small that the presence of the ant has no effect on the propagation of the wave.
Simple harmonic motion
Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion in which an object undergoes oscillatory motion. The restoring force exerted by the object exhibiting SHM is proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position. The force is directed towards the mean position. We see many examples of SHM around us, common ones are the motion of a pendulum, spring and vibration of strings in musical instruments, and so on.
Simple Pendulum
A simple pendulum comprises a heavy mass (called bob) attached to one end of the weightless and flexible string.
Oscillation
In Physics, oscillation means a repetitive motion that happens in a variation with respect to time. There is usually a central value, where the object would be at rest. Additionally, there are two or more positions between which the repetitive motion takes place. In mathematics, oscillations can also be described as vibrations. The most common examples of oscillation that is seen in daily lives include the alternating current (AC) or the motion of a moving pendulum.
An ant with mass m is standing peacefully on
top of a horizontal, stretched rope. The rope has mass per unit length m and
is under tension F. Without warning, Cousin Throckmorton starts a sinusoidal
transverse wave of wavelength l propagating along the rope. The motion
of the rope is in a vertical plane. What minimum wave amplitude will
make the ant become momentarily weightless? Assume that m is so small
that the presence of the ant has no effect on the propagation of the wave.
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