STANDING WAVE

Hardianti Medi, Nurasia, Nur Alam Jamaluddin

ICP B of Physics Depertment 2015
Abstract
Have been performed observation about standing wave which is objectives to understand working
principles of the string wave observation, understand the relationship between tension and density
of string with wave velocity, and formulate equation of wave velocity. Equipment list was used
are vibrator, power supply, ohaus balance 311 gram, ruler, connecting cable, hanging load, pulley
and string. In this experiment, there are two activities namely the first activity is investigate the
relationship between wave velocity with string tension, its way calculate the number of waves that
are formed when vibrator was vibreted with frequency 50 Hz and added load periodically. The
second activity is investigate relationship between wave velocity with string density. From the data
analysis, we obtained the value of v in the first activity increased in line with the addition of load,
where

v 1=2433,5cm/ s ,

v 4=2950 cm/s ,

v 2=2583,33 cm/ s ,

v 5=3250 cm/s ,

v 6 =3400 cm/s

v 3=2800 cm/s ,

and

F1=29404,9

N,

F2=33412,12 N, F3=38318 N, F4=42246,82 N, F5=52049,76 N, F6=55904,1 N. Otherwise, in the

second activity the value of v getting smaller if the density of string is big, where

v 1=2562,5cm/ s ,
1=0,006 gr /cm

v 2=2800 cm/ s ,

2=0,005 gr /cm

v 3=1823,33 cm/ s

and

3=0,012 gr /cm . From that analysis, we

can be concluded that the velocity of wave (v) is proportional with string tension (T) and
inversely proportional with density of the string ().
Keywords : string density, string tension, string wave, wave speed

PROBLEMS FORMULATION
1. How does the working principle of the experiment of string wave?
2. How to the relationship between string tension and the density of string with
wave speed on the string?
3. What is the equation of wave speed?
OBJECTIVES
1. Understand working principle of the experiment of string wave
2. Understand the relationship between string tension with wave speed
3. Understand the relationship between the density of string with wave speed
4. Formulate the equation of wave speed

EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
Basic theory
Rope with one end tied to a vibrator in A, while the other end is connected
to a pulley and a given load voltage of the mass M. rope is great gravity of the
mass of the suspended load. If the electric vibrator vibrated with frequency f, then
the wave energy through will move from A to B, this energy causes the rope
becomes bumpy. Wave reflection by vertices in B led to a wave whose direction
opposite to the wave coming from the source (point A). The combination of
(interference) wave coming and this reflected wave produces a stationary wave.
One wave is formed if there are three or two stomach knot. If the frequency of the
vibrator can be known and the wavelength can be calculated then the rapid
propagation of waves on a string can be determined. (Herman: 2015, 51-52)
Superposition of harmonic waves is called interference. If the waves are in
phase or out of phase by an integer times 2, adds another wave amplitude and
constructive interference takes place. If different wave phase by or times an
odd integer, the amplitude of each reducing and destructive interference takes
place. When the wave is limited in space, standing waves will occur. For a rope
tied at both ends, the standing wave conditions can be found by drawing a wave
on a rope with a knot at each end. The result is that an integer times half the
wavelength should be equal to the wavelength of the rope. (Tipler: 2001. 497-498)
Other than that, by using equation 9.1 wave propagation velocity can be
calculated. Rapid propagation of waves on a string can be determined by the
equation:
v=

[9.1]

and,
v =f
with:
v = wave speed (m/s)

[9.2]

F = force of string tension (N)

= the density of string (kg/m)
= wavelength (m)
f = frequency (hz)

(Herman: 2015, 52)

Equipment list
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Vibrator 1 piece
Power supply 1 piece
Ohauss balance 311 gram 1 piece
Ruler 100 cm 1 piece
Connecting cable 2 pieces
Pulley 1 piece
Hanging load 6 pieces

8. String 3 pieces

Variables identification
Activity 1 : the reationship between wave velocity with string tension
1. Manipulation variable : mass of load (gr)
2. Response variable

: total wave and the length of string (cm)

3. Control variable

: frequency of the vibrating (Hz) and the density of rope

(gr/cm)
Activity 2 : the reationship between wave velocity with the density of rope
1. Manipulation variable : the density of rope (gr/cm)
2. Response variable

: total wave and the length of string (cm)

3. Control variable

: frequency of the vibrating (Hz) and mass of load (gr)

Operational Definition of Variables

Activity 1 : the reationship between wave velocity with string tension

1. Mass of load that is mass of load hanging on a rope and measured using a
ohauss balance 311 grams with units of grams (gr).
2. Total waves that is the number of waves that form on the rope when vibrated
using a vibrator.
3. The length of string is length of the string between the pulley with a vibrator
that forms a wave with maximum amplitude measured using a ruler with unit is
centimeters (cm).
4. Frequency of the vibrating is the frequency of the vibrating vibrator used in the
experiment with the unit is hertz (hz).
5. The density of string is the amount of mass per unit length of string used in the
experiment whose mass is measured using a ohauss balance 311 grams and
length were measured using a ruler with units of grams per centimeter (gr/cm).
Activity 2 : the reationship between wave velocity with the density of rope
1. The density of string is the amount of mass per unit length of string used in the
experiment whose mass is measured using a ohauss balance 311 grams and
length were measured using a ruler with units of grams per centimeter (gr/cm).
2. Total waves that is the number of waves that form on the rope when vibrated
using a vibrator.
3. The length of string is length of the string between the pulley with a vibrator
that forms a wave with maximum amplitude measured using a ruler with unit is
centimeters (cm).
4. Frequency of the vibrating is the frequency of the vibrating vibrator used in the
experiment with the unit is hertz (hz).

5. Mass of load that is mass of load hanging on a rope and measured using a
ohauss balance 311 grams with units of grams (gr).

Work procedures

Figure 1. The composition of experimental tool stationary wave

Activity 1 : investigate relationship between the wave velocity with string tension
1. The mass of the load used as many as six different kinds of mass was
weighed by using a ohauss balance 311 grams.
2. A piece of string or yarn was taken, then one of the edges was attached to the
vibrator, then knocked on the pulley and loads was given of M1.

3. Develop based on the picture above, then the power supply was turned on so
that the vibrator vibrates.
4. Length of rope was regulated while the vibrator was be shifted sliding
forming stationary waves.
5. Wave forms was observed and the largest amplitude was determined.
6. After getting the wave with the largest amplitude, the number of waves that
form was determined, then the power supply was turned off.
7. The length of rope from the vibrator to the pulley was measured.
8. Repeated steps 1 until 7 as many as five times with the added mass of the
load periodically.
9. Record the entire observation on the observation table available.
10. Calculated the wave propargation velocity on each observation
Table 1. The relatioship between wave velocity with string tension
No
Mass of load (gram)
Length of string (cm)
Total wave
1
2
3
4
5
6
Activity 2 : Investigate relationship between the wave velocity with the density of
string
1. The three kinds of rope / yarn of various sizes were prepared.
2. A rope / thread was taken, weighed and measured length.
3. Step 2 for the other types of threads that was performed.
4. The mass per unit length of each strap was calculated.

5. A piece of string or yarn was taken, then one of the edges was attached to the
vibrator, then knocked on the pulley and loads was given of M.
6. The power supply was turned on so that the vibrator vibrates. After that
Length of rope was regulated while the vibrator was be shifted sliding
forming stationary waves.
7. Wave forms was observed and the largest amplitude was determined.
8. After getting the wave with the largest amplitude, the number of waves that
form was determined, then the power supply was turned off, after that the
length of rope from the vibrator to the pulley was measured.
9. Repeat steps 5 until 8 for the other types of ropes fixed to the mass load.
10. Record the entire observation on the observation table available.
11. Calculated the wave propargation velocity on each observation
Table 2. The relationship between the wave velocity with the density of string
Type of rope
Length of string (cm)
Total wave
I
II
III
EXPERIMENTAL RESULT AND DATA ANALYSIS
Observation result
Activity 1 : investigate relationship between the wave velocity with string tension
frequency of the vibrating (f) = 50 Hz
No
1

Table 1. The relatioship between wave velocity with string tension

Mass of load (gram)
Length of string (cm)
Total wave
|30,005 0,005|
|73,00 0,05|
1,5

|34,094 0,005|

|77,50 0,05|

1,5

|39,100 0,005|

|56,00 0,05|

|43,109 0,005|

|59,00 0,05|

|53,112 0,005|

|65,00 0,05|

|57,045 0,005|

|68,00 0,05|

Activity 2 : Investigate relationship between the wave velocity with the density of
string
Density of string 1

= 0,006 gr/cm

Density of string 2

= 0,005 gr/cm

Density of string 3

= 0,012 gr/cm

Mas of load

= |39,100 0,005| gram

Frequency of vibrating= 50 Hz
Table 2. The relationship between the wave velocity with the density of string
Type of rope
I

Length of string (cm)

|102,50 0,05|

Total wave
2

II

|56,00 0,05|

III

|54,70 0,05|

1,5

Data analysis
Activity 1 : Investigate relationship between the wave velocity with the string
tension
a. Calculated the wave velocity
v = f
l1
v
=
f
1
1).
n
v 1=

73 cm
50 Hz
1,5

v 1=2433,5cm/ s

l2
v
=
f
2
2).
n
v 2=

77,5 cm
50 Hz
1,5

v 2=2583,33 cm/ s
l3
v
=
f
3
3).
n
v 3=

56 cm
50 Hz
1

v 3=2800 cm/s
l4
v
=
f
4
4).
n
v 4=

59 cm
50 Hz
1

v 4=2950 cm/s
l5
v
=
f
5
5).
n
v 5=

65 cm
50 Hz
1

v 5=3250 cm/s
l6
6). v 6 = n f
v6 =

68 cm
50 Hz
1

v 6 =3400 cm/s
b. Calculated the tension of string
F=mxg
1). F1= m1 x g
F1= 30,005 gr x 980 cm/s2
F1= 29404,9 N
2). F2= m2 x g
F2= 34,094 gr x 980 cm/s2
F2= 33412,12 N
3). F3= m3 x g

F3= 39,100 gr x 980 cm/s2

F3= 38318 N
4). F4= m4 x g
F4= 43,109 gr x 980 cm/s2
F4= 42246,82 N
5). F5= m5 x g
F5= 53,112 gr x 980 cm/s2
F5= 52049,76 N
6). F6= m6 x g
F6= 57,045 gr x 980 cm/s2
F6= 55904,1 N
c. Graph of v with T
4000
3500
3000
2500
wave velocity (cm/s)

2000
1500
1000
500
0
20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

the tension of string force (N)

Graph 1. The relationship between the tension of string with wave velocity
Based on the analysis of data and graphs can be seen that the rope tension force
proportional to the velocity of propagation, where the greater force rope tension,
the greater the velocity of the wave.
Activity 2 : Investigate the relationship between wave propagation velocity with
the density of the string
a. Calculated the wave velocity
v = f
l1
1). v 1= n f
v 1=

102,5 cm
50 Hz
2

v 1=2562,5cm/ s
l2
2). v 2= n f
v 2=

56 cm
50 Hz
1

v 2=2800 cm/s
l3
3). v 3= n f
v 3=

54,7 cm
50 Hz
1,5

v 3=1823,33 cm/ s
b. Calculated the density of the rope
m
=
l
1). Rope I
1 =

m1
l1

1=

0.89 gr
151,3 cm

1=0,006 gr /cm
2). Rope II
2=

m2
l2

2=

1,03 gr
201,5 cm

2=0,005 gr /cm
3). Rope III

3=

m3
l3

3=

1,56 gr
130,6 cm

3=0,012 gr /cm
c. Graph of vith v
3000
2500
2000
wave propagation velocity (cm/s)

1500
1000
500
0
0

0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01

the density of rope (gr/cm)

Graph 2. The relationship between the density of rope with wave propagation
velocity
d. Calculated the squared of the wave velocity
F = m x g = 39,100 gr x 980 cm/s2 = 38318 gr cm/s2
F
v 2=

1). Rope I
v 1=

F
1

v 21=

38318
0,006

v 1=6386333,3cm/ s
v 1=2527,12cm/s

2). Rope II
v 22=

F
2

v 22=

38318
0,005

v 22=7663600 cm/ s
v 2=2768,32cm/ s
3). Rope III
v 3=

F
3

v 23=

38318
0,012

v 3=3193166,7 cm/s
v 3=1786,94 cm/s
Based on the data analysis and graph, can be seen that the density of rope is
inversly proportional with wave propargation velocity, where the smaller of the
density of rope, than greater the wave propargaration velocity.

DISCUSSION
In this experiment, there are two activities that have been done that the
first activity to investigate the relationship between tension with wave propagation
velocity and the second activity that investigate the relationship between wave
propagation velocity with the density of string. In this experiment, the frequency
of vibration is controlled by 50 Hz. This is because we are not looking for a
relationship between the wave propagation velocity with vibrating frequency.
Based on the analysis of data and graphs obtained in activities 1, can be
seen the value of rope wave propagation velocity increases with the addition of
the load hanging on every trial and increasing with hanging load, it means that the

string tension will be greater. Where , the value of v are

v 2=2583,33 cm/ s
v 6 =3400 cm /s

v 3=2800 cm/s

v 4=2950 cm/ s

v 1=2433,5cm/ s

v 5=3250 cm/s

and the value of F are F1 = 29404,9 N, F2 = 33412,12 N, F3 =

38318 N, F4 = 42246,82 N, F5 = 52049,76 N, F6 = 55904,1 N. From these results, it

is understood / known that the wave propagation speed is directly proportional to
the voltage , where the greater the string tension, the greater the velocity of the
wave. It is in conformity with the existing theory where v is proportional to T.
While for the second activity, based on the analysis of data and graphs
obtained, it can be seen that the wave propagation velocity value at the time the
largest rope used type of rope its the smallest density of the rope. Conversely, if
the type of rope used to have a large density, then the velocity of the wave will be
small. Can be seen from the value of are
1=0,006 gr /cm

v 2=2800 cm/s

v 3=1823,33 cm/ s

and

2=0,005 gr /cm

and

3=0,012 gr /cm

v 1=2562,5cm/ s

and

and

. From these results, it can be

understood that the wave propagation velocity is inversely proportional to the

density of rope. This also applies equally to the current squared value of the wave
velocity. However, the results we have obtained from the square of the wave
propagation speed by using the equation

when

using

the

v 1=2527,12cm/s

equation

v=

v =f

F
.

v 2=2768,32cm/ s

little different with the results

Where

, and

the

value

is

v 3=1786,94 cm/ s

are

. This is

due to the inaccuracy of its practitioner to observed and determined the maximum
amplitude of the wave. Nonetheless, the value of the wave propagation velocity is
still inversely proportional to the value of the mass meeting rope, and this is in

conformity with the existing theory, where v is inversely proportional to . This

means that the lab of standing wave has been categorized successfully.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of data analysis and experiments have been conducted, it can
be concluded that:
1. The working principle of the rope wave the experiment, namely the presence of
interference or a blend of the two waves of the incident wave and the reflected
wave on a string generated from the vibrator vibration, resulting in a wave
called is stationary wave.
2. Wave propagation velocity is directly proportional to the voltage rope and
inversely proportional to the mass density rope.
3. The equation of wave propagation speed is v =f

F
and v = .

SUGGESTION
1. The laboratory should to prepare a digital balance to measure the mass of the
rope, so that the data obtained more accurate.
2. In the experiment, the practitioner should observe closely and more carefully
in order to determine the maximum amplitude wave, so that the data obtained
more accurate.
REFERENCES
Herman. 2015. Penuntun Praktikum Fisika Dasar 2. Makassar: Jurusan Fisika
FMIPA UNM.
Tipler, Paul A. 2001. Fisika untuk sains dan teknik edisi ketiga jilid
1(terjemahan). Jakarta: Erlangga