A string of length 0.5 m and mass 10⁻³ kg is tightly clamped at its ends. The tension in the string is 0.8 N. Identical wave pulses are produced at one end at equal intervals of time t . What is the minimum value of t which allows constructive interference between successive pulses?

Step-by-step solution

The linear mass density of the string is given by: = m L = 10⁻³ 0.5 = 2 10⁻³ kg/m The speed of the transverse wave pulse on the string is: v = T = 0.8 2 10⁻³ = 400 = 20 m/s When a wave pulse is produced at one end, it travels to the other end, reflects, and comes back. Since the string is tightly clamped at both ends, the pulse undergoes a phase change of (inversion) upon reflection at the far end, and another phase change of upon reflection at the near end. After two reflections (one complete round trip), the tota