Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 21 - Superposition - Exercises and Problems - Page 622: 29

Answer

$\approx 1.25\;\rm cm$

Work Step by Step

We know that the beat frequency is given by $$f_{\rm Beat}=|f_1-f_2|$$ A longer wavelength means less frequency. This means that $f_1\gt f_2$. We also know that the speed of the microwave is the speed of light and it is given by $c=\lambda f$, so $f=c/\lambda$ $$f_{\rm Beat}=f_1-f_2=\dfrac{c}{\lambda_1}-\dfrac{c}{\lambda_2}$$ Solving for $\lambda_2$ $$f_{\rm Beat}-\dfrac{c}{\lambda_1}=-\dfrac{c}{\lambda_2}$$ $$\lambda_2 =\dfrac{c}{\dfrac{c}{\lambda_1}-f_{\rm Beat}}$$ Plugging the known; $$\lambda_2 =\dfrac{(3\times 10^8)}{ \dfrac{(3\times 10^8)}{ (1.250\times 10^{-2})}-100}=\bf 0.01250000005208\;\rm m$$ $$\lambda_2\approx \color{red}{\bf 1.25}\;\rm cm$$
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