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Number 100
displacement
t=0
time
t=0
half a period later
Example 1
A stationary wave is set up on a wire of length 0.93 m so that it
vibrates at 120 Hz. The fundamental frequency of the wire is 40
Hz.
(a) Draw a sketch of the stationary wave obtained. [1 mark]
(b) Calculate the speed of the wave.
[3 marks]
Answer
There are points where the displacement is always zero these are
called nodes.
Fig 1
node
(minimum displacement)
node
(minimum displacement)
= f
= 120 Hz 0.62 m
= 74 m s-1
[1]
[1]
[1]
Fig 3
fundamental mode (1st harmonic)
wavelength = 2 length of string
antinode
(maximum displacement)
At any one time all the particles in one loop are in phase, and
each loop is exactly out of phase with adjacent loops (Fig 2).
Notice that two adjacent nodes (or antinodes) are half a wavelength
apart.
Physics Factsheet
Exam Hint
Example 2
You can always find the wavelength if you know the length of
the string:
the wavelength is the length of two loops.
So for the ninth harmonic, which has nine loops, the
wavelength is two ninths of the length of the string
A signal generator is set at 152 Hz, 10 loops fit the length of the
vibrating length of string exactly. The string is of length 2.0 m
and the mass on the end of it is 0.72 kg. Calculate the mass of
the string.
[5 marks]
Answer
The wavelength is the length of two loops = 2/10 x 2.0 m = 0.4 m
Fig 4
string (here shown vibrating in
the fundamental mode)
callibrated signal
generator
[1]
pulley
T
v2
(check you can rearrange this correctly)
=
vibration
generator
[1]
7.056
60.82
= 1.9 10-3 kg m-1 (1.9 g m-1)
[1]
[1]
These are set up when the air at one end of a pipe is caused to
vibrate. (In an organ this is done by blasting air at an edge). The
resulting sound wave interferes with its own reflection from the
other end of the pipe to produce the stationary wave.
These are very similar to stationary waves on strings. One important
difference is that the stationary waves are longitudinal rather than
transverse because they are formed from sound waves.
The profile of a stationary wave does not move along the wire, but
the two travelling waves that produce it have a speed v equal to:
weight, mg
which is
equal to the
tension in the
string
v=
[1]
Fig 5
1 T
2L
Notice that length, tension and mass per unit length are the only
factors affecting the pitch of the note. You knew this already: to
make a guitar play a higher pitch, you:
(a) shorten the string by holding a string down
(b) tighten the string
(c) play a thinner string
node
antinode
Open pipe
Closed pipe
antinode
blast of air
antinode
blast of air
Physics Factsheet
Fig 6
N
N
A
A
N
N
A
N
blast of air
blast of air
blast of air
fundamental mode
3rd harmonic
5.
vibrating
diaphragm
5th harmonic
tube
closed end
Fig 7
A
N
A
N
A
N
A
N
A
blast of air
blast of air
blast of air
fundamental mode
2nd harmonic
4th harmonic
A
N
Answers
1. 114 ms-1,
fundamental:
wavelength = 1.30 m, f = 87.7 Hz
second harmonic:wavelength = 0.65 m, f = 175 Hz
3. 0.63 m
4. 100 Hz
5. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Practice Questions
1. A horizontal string of length 0.65 m has a mass of 5.5 g and is
put under a tension of 110 N. It is plucked. (a) Calculate the
speed of the transverse waves on the string. (b) Calculate the
wavelengths and frequencies of the fundamental and second
harmonic.
320 m s-1
0.10 m apart
1200 Hz
wavelength is 0.80 m, the tube is 0.40 m long
6. 0.304 m
0.607 m, 560 Hz. 0.304 m, 1120 Hz
Acknowledgements:
This Physics Factsheet was researched and written by Michael Lingard
The Curriculum Press,Bank House, 105 King Street,Wellington, Shropshire, TF1 1NU
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ISSN 1351-5136