12XPH1 – Waves Homework

Task1 - Complete these practice questions using the equation:

1 T
f=
2L μ √
1. What is the tension in a wire of length 2m with a mass of 0.135g when the frequency is
50Hz?

2700N

2. Transverse waves travel with a speed of 15.0 m s-1 in a string that is under a tension of 3.00
N. What tension is required for a wave speed of 30.0 m s-1 in the same string?

6N

3. A rope of length 8.00 m and mass 0.170 kg is stretched with a tensions of 0.65N. What is the
speed of the wave in the wire?

2.8ms-1

4. With what tension must a rope of length 5.00 m and mass 0.160 kg be stretched for
transverse waves of frequency 60.0 Hz to have a wavelength of 0.800 m?

4x(60x60) x (5x5) x 0.16/5 = 11520

1843.2N

5. Transverse waves travel with a speed of 20.0 m s-1 in a string that is under a tension of 6.00
N. What tension is required for a wave speed of 30.0 m s-1 in the same string?

6. A wire of length 4.35 m and mass 137g is under a tension of 125 N. What is the speed of a
wave in this wire? If the tension is doubled, what is the speed? If the mass is doubled?

0.70ms-1

Task 2 - Now complete these practice exam questions on the same topic:

Q1.
Figure 1 shows the structure of a violin and Figure 2 shows a close-up image of the
tuning pegs.
 
Figure 1 Figure 2
    

The strings are fixed at end A. The strings pass over a bridge and the other ends of the
strings are wound around tuning pegs that have a circular cross-section. The tension in
the strings can be increased or decreased by rotating the tuning pegs.

(a)     Explain how a stationary wave is produced when a stretched string is plucked.

2 waves moving at same frequency interact to create a standing wave

(3)

(b)     The vibrating length of one of the strings of a violin is 0.33 m

When the tension in the string is 25 N, the string vibrates with a first-harmonic
frequency of 370 Hz

Show that the mass of a 1.0 m length of the string is about 4 × 10 –4 kg

 4.19 x 10^-4kg

(2)

(c)     Determine the speed at which waves travel along the string in question (b) when it
vibrates with a first-harmonic frequency of 370 Hz

122ms-1
(1)

(d)     Figure 3 shows how the tension in the string in question (b) varies with the
extension of the string.

Figure 3
 The string with its initial tension of 25 N is vibrating at a frequency of 370 Hz
The diameter of the circular peg is 7.02 mm

Determine the higher frequency that is produced when the string is stretched by
rotating the tuning peg through an angle of 75°

Assume that there is no change in the diameter of the string.

frequency = ____________________ Hz
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

Q2.
(a)     (i)      A piano string has a tension of 681 N. It vibrates with a fundamental
frequency (first harmonic) of 92.5 Hz and has a mass per unit length of
1.87 × 10–2 kg m–1.
Calculate the length of the string.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

length of string ____1.03__________________ m

(3)

(ii)     The figure below shows a string stretched between fixed ends.
Draw onto the figure the first overtone (second harmonic) mode of
vibration.

 
(1)

(iii)     State how you could make a string on a stringed instrument vibrate in this
mode of vibration.

By plucking the string at a higher force at one end so that end has more
frequency
(2)

(b)     Describe how you would investigate the variation of the fundamental frequency
(first harmonic) of a string with its length.
State which variable(s) you would need to control and how you would do so.
You may wish to assist your account by drawing a diagram.

  

 
(4)