EXPERIMENT 4

VIBRATING STRINGS
(SPEED OF TRANSVERSE WAVE)

DELOS REYES, DONNALIZA S.

CABAL, ANA
BSPT 2-4
GROUP 1

SIR MICHAEL LAJARA

JANUARY 8 , 2015

VIBRATING STRINGS
(SPEED OF TRANSVERSE WAVE)
Abstract
In the experiment we have conducted, we will see the relationship of velocity, frequency
and wavelength. But since transverse wave is difficult to see, what the experiment shows is a
standing wave where a standing wave pattern is a vibrational pattern created within a medium
when the vibrational frequency of the source causes reflected waves from one end of the medium
to interfere with incident waves from the source.
So setting up the experiment, the materials used were sine wave generator, iron stand
with clamp, string vibrator, force sensor, top loading balance, Xplorer GLX, meter tape and
string. We will use meter tape to measure the length of the string and top loading balance to
measure its mass. To know the tension of the string, we use Xplorer GLX. In this experiment we
set up the sine wave generator, string vibrator, force sensor to verify the relationship among wave
speed, wavelength and period of vibration and to study how the speed of the wave in a vibrating
string is affected by the stretching force and the frequency of the wave.

I. Introduction:
Standing waves (stationary waves) are produced by the interference of two traveling
waves, both of which have the same wavelength, speed and amplitude, but travel in opposite
directions through the same medium. The necessary conditions for the production of standing

waves can be met in the case of a stretched string by having waves set up by some vibrating
body, reflected at the end of the string and then interfering with the oncoming waves.
A stretched string has many natural modes of vibration. If the string is fixed at both ends
then there must be a node at each end. It may vibrate as a single segment; in which case the
length (L) of the string is equal to 1/2 the wavelength () of the wave. It may also vibrate in two
segments with a node at each end and one node in the middle; then the wavelength is equal to the
length of the string. It may also vibrate with a larger integer number of segments. In every case,
the length of the string equals some integer number of half wavelengths.

II.

Objective/s:
Examine how the tension is required to produce a standing wave in a vibrating
string of fixed length and mass density is affected by the wavelength and the

III.

frequency of the wave

Determine the speed of the wave
Verify the relationship among wave speed, wavelength, period of vibration

Schematic Procedure:

1. Measure the mass of the string using

the top loading balance. Record this as
m.

4. Tie the string to the hook of the Force

Sensor and to the vibrating blade on the
String Vibrator so the string is under
tension. Determine the length of the
string between the knot attached to the
blade on the String Vibrator and the knot
attached to the hook on the Force Sensor.
Record this as the length of the string L.

2. Connect the String Vibrator to the Sine

Wave Generator using the two banana
cables to the inputs on the String
Vibrator. Polarity doesnt matter.

3. Clamp the string Vibrator firmly to a

sturdy table to fix its position.

5. Set- up the Xplorer GLX and connect

the Force Sensor.

8. For a fixed tension, vary frequencies

to get the string vibrating in the required
number of segments or nodes (n=
1,2,3,4,5). Record this under the column
for f.

7. Click on to turn the String Vibrator on.

9. Determine the wavelength by using

2L
the formula, = n

where L is the

6. Click on to turn the Sine Wave

Generator on. You may vary the
amplitude the experiment. Increasing the
amplitude will also increase the size of
the standing wave. If the String Vibrator
begins to clatter, it is being overdriven
and you should decrease the amplitude.

10. The force shown in the Xplorer GLX

is the tension on the string. Record this
under the column for the force. F.

length of the string and n is the number

12. Compute for the theoretical wave

velocity by using the formula, v=

FL
m

11. Compute for the Experimental wave

velocity by using the formula, v= f.

13. Record your data. Repeat steps 7-11

by using the other required number of
nodes.

IV.

Results and Discussion:

Mass of String: 0.00273 kg

No. of

Frequency, Wavelength,

Length,

Force,

Nodes

1
2
3
4

10.6 Hz
20.3 Hz
32.1 Hz
42.5 Hz

3.52 m
1.76 m
1.17 m
0.88 m

1.76 m
1.76 m
1.76 m
1.76 m

1.9 N
1.9 N
1.9 N
1.9 N

Wave Velocity, v
Experimenta Theoretica

Percent
Error

l
37.31 m/s
35.73 m/s
37.56 m/s
37.4 m/s

l
35 m/s
35 m/s
35 m/s
35 m/s

6.6 %
2.09 %
7.31 %
6.86 %

We measure the length of the string which is 1.756m using a meter tape and its mass
which 0.00273 using a top loading balance. We set up the apparatus by connecting the sine wave
generator to the string vibrator and then attached a string that will be used for the four trials. The
constant force is 1.9 N. We adjusted the amplitude to see the waves better and count the segment
created. There are a variety of patterns by which the guitar string could naturally vibrate; each
pattern is associated with one of the natural frequencies of the guitar strings. We vary frequencies
to get the string vibrating in required number of nodes and we record it under frequency (f). We

determine the wavelength by using the formula, =

2L
n

where L is the length of the string and

n is the number of nodes. For the Experimental wave velocity, we use the formula, v= f and for

the theoretical wave velocity, we use the formula, v=

FL
m . By this time, we both have the

experimental and theoretical wave velocity. We can now determine the percentage error by using

ExperimentalTheoretical
100
the formula: %Error=
.
Theoretical

V.

Conclusion:
It is very clear from this equation that, since the waves speed, v, in a given medium is

constant, the product f is also constant, and if you increase the frequency, the wavelength of the
waves in the rope has to decrease. Of course, for resonance, the values of such frequencies, as
was mentioned, are discrete, and so are their corresponding wavelengths. All you need to do is
to adjust your hand's oscillations for each case to observe a full number of loops in the rope
between you and the wall.
In this experiment, it states that each loop is one half of the wavelength in each case.
When the entire length of the rope is accommodating one loop only, it is called the fundamental
frequency and that is the lowest possible frequency for that rope under that particular tension.

After conducting the experiment, the objectives are met and the data gathered are
consistent with the theory. The sources of error that can affect the experiment are the amplitude,
The amplitude is also a source of error because we must allocate better amplitude to see the
wave; increase in altitude will make a different wave and uneasy to measure the length. We must
able to measure the length accurate to have less error. Also, the string used by the device should
be completely leveled and free to vibrate without obstructions.
References:

Analysis on Transverse Wave: Frequency Of Vibration (n.d.). Retrieved December 10,

2014, from http://mit-ot.blogspot.com/2012/05/phy12l-e303-transverse-wavefrequency.html