Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Waves–I: Problem Problem_24

In Fig. 16.13a, string 1 has a linear density of \(3.00\text{ g/m}\), and string 2 has a linear density of \(5.00\text{ g/m}\). They are under tension due to the hanging block of mass \(M = 500\text{ g}\). Calculate the wave speed on (a) string 1 and (b) string 2. (Hint: When a string loops halfway around a pulley, it pulls on the pulley with a net force that is twice the tension in the string.) Next the block is divided into two blocks (with \(M_1 + M_2 = M\)) and the apparatus is rearranged as shown in Fig. 16.13b. Find (c) \(M_1\) and (d) \(M_2\) such that the wave speeds in the two strings are equal.