Date: ___________________

Phys221L
STANDING WAVES ON A STRETCHED STRING

Name:

A) Resonant frequencies versus n

Distance between bridges L= 60.0(1) cm. Tension = 9.81(10) N.

Mode Signal Generator Wire frequency (Hz) Node to node Wavelength (m)
Frequency (Hz) distance (cm)
First 40.1(2) 80.2 L
1.20
Second 78.3(2) 156.6 L/2
0.60
Third 116.9(2) 233.8 L/3
0.40
Fourth 155.8(2) 311.6 L/4
0.30
Fifth 200.5(2) 401.0 L/5
0.24

N.B. The frequency of oscillation of the steel wire is twice the generator
frequency.

d  δd
Node to node distance 2 where λ is the wavelength so we know λ= 2 .
1. Plot the frequency versus n . Draw the best-fit line. Calculate the slope along
with its error. Calculate the y-intercept along with its error, compare to the
expected value.

Frequency vs. n
450
400
f(x) = 79.66 x − 2.34
350
Frequency (Hz)

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
n

1
Using Linest function in excel we obtain:

Slope = 79.6 (1.5)

y- intercept = -2.3 (4.8)

The frequency, fn, depends on the speed of the wave and its wavelength.

v
We know that v = fn × λ then, fn = λ where v = √(T/ μ) and λ = 2L/n
n T
Replace in fn equation: fn =
2L μ √
This is in the form of y = ax+b where y = fn and x= n
1 T
Therefore, the slope =
2L μ √and the y-intercept is expected to be 0.
From our calculations the value of the y-intercept = -2.3(4.8) whereas our expected
value is 0.
Checking for agreement:
-2.3 + 2(4.8) = 7.3
-2.3 -2(4.8) = -11.9
Thus, our range lies between [ -11.9, +7.3] and our expected value lies within this
range making our obtained value accepted.

2. Deduce from the slope of your straight line the linear density, μ, of the string
along with its rms error. (show all calculations). Compare to the linear density
found in the literature. Agreement should be within two standard deviations.

1 T T
slope =
√
2L μ
then, slope2 × (4L2) =
μ

9.81 N
(79.66)2 × 4 × 0.62 m =  μ = 9.81/9137.83 = 0.00107 kg/m = 1.07 g/m
μ
Its error is determined using propagation of error:

2 2 2
∂μ ∂μ ∂μ
α μ=
√( ∂ slope )(
× α slope +
∂T )(
×α T +
∂L
×α L )

2
Then, μ = 1.07 (1.09) g/m
The reason the uncertainty is very large is due to the large uncertainty on T which is
equal to 10.

Checking for agreement:

Our obtained valueμ =1.07 (1.09) g/m
Literature value = 1.12 g/m

1.07+2(1.09) = 3.25
1.07 – 2(1.09) = -1.11 we will consider the lowest value to be 0 since linear mass
density should be positive.

Thus, our range lies between [0,3.25] and the literature value lies within this range so
our obtained value is accepted.

B) Fundamental frequency versus tension

Distance between bridges L= 60.0(1) cm

Tension (N) Fundamental Frequency (Hz) Wave Velocity (m/s)

9.81(10) 40.1(2) 94 (48)

19.6(20) 54.7 (2) 132(67)

29.4(30) 66.6 (2) 162(83)

39.2(40) 76.4 (2) 187(95)

49.0(50) 88.5 (2) 209(107)

3
N.B. The frequency of oscillation of the steel wire is twice the generator
frequency
1
1. Plot the frequency versus T 2 . Draw the best-fit line. Calculate the slope along
with its error. Calculate the y−¿intercept along with its error, compare to the
expected value.

f vs √T
200
180
160 f(x) = 24.61 x + 1.37

140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5

1 T
fn =
2L μ√ since n=1
This is in the form of y = ax+b where y = fn and x= √T
1 1
Therefore, the slope =
2L μ √ and the y-intercept is expected to be 0.
Using Linest function in excel we obtain:

Slope= 25(1) and y-intercept= 1.37(5.12)

From our calculations the value of the y-intercept = 1.37(5.12) whereas our expected
value is 0.
Checking for agreement:
1.37 + 2(5.12) = 11.61
1.37 -2(5.12) = -8.87
Thus, our range lies between [ -8.87, 11.61] and our expected value lies within this
range making our obtained value accepted.

2. Deduce from the slope of your straight line the linear density, μ, of the string
along with its rms error (show all calculations). Compare to the literature
value. How does your value compare to that measured in Part A? (Agreement
should be within two standard deviations)

4
 Checking for agreement:
Our obtained valueμ =1.15 (0.10) g/m
Literature value = 1.12 g/m

1.15+2(0.10) = 1.35
1.15 – 2(0.10) = 0.95

Thus, our range lies between [ 0.95,1.35] and the literature value lies within this range
so our obtained value is accepted.

In part A, μ = 1.07 (1.09) g/m ∈ [0.95,1.35]

And the two ranges [0.95,1.35] and [0,3.25] overlap meaning the values are accurate.

wire

1 kg mass
pivot

The pivoted metal elbow is used to apply tension to the wire; tension is changed by moving the I kg
mass between the different notches.