Standing Waves

Purpose
To observe and analyze standing waves on a string by verifying equation (1) below for the wave
speed on a string and equation (4) below for the higher harmonic frequencies allowed on the
string.

Equipment
Elastic String
Pulley
Masses
Accessory Speaker wave driver

Power Amplifier
Vernier LabQuest 2

The speed v of a wave on a string depends on the tension T (in N) and the linear mass density
(in kg/m) as follows:
v = (T / )
(1)

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Another useful relationship that applies to all periodic waves is
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v=f
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where is the wavelength and f is the frequency of the wave.
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(2)

The standing wave pattern for a string tied at both ends is determined by realizing that only
certain special wavelengths fit into the given length of the string.

Wave speed depends only on the properties of the medium (string) but not on wavelength of the
wave. Therefore using the equation (2) for the speed of the wave, we realize that there are special
frequencies for which we can have standing waves in a string:

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In other words,
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and

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v = 1 f1
v = 2 f2
v = 3 f3

fn = n f1

or
or
or
etc.
where

f1 = v / 1

f2 = v / 2

f3 = v / 3

n = 1, 2, 3,

& 1 #& T #
f 1 = $ !$$ !!
% 2L "% "
"

(3a)
(3b)
(3c)

(4)

(5)

Setting Up the Sine Wave Generator

1) Take a few moments to confirm that the Vernier is properly setup; it should already be
properly setup.
2) The hook should be tightly screwed into the center of the Accessory Speaker
3) Before connecting any cables, make sure that all equipment is turned off. (The Vernier
LabQuest may be left on when connecting the 1/8-inch audio cable but the Power
Amplifier should always be turned off before connecting or disconnecting cables.)
4) Make sure that both the Power amplifier and the LabQuest are connected to power cables.
5) Connect the cable from the Accessory Speaker to the red and black jacks on the Vernier
power amplifier.
6) Connect the 1/8-inch audio cable into the Audio In PWM Labquest jack on the power
amplifier. Connect the other end into the speaker jack on the Vernier LabQuest.
7) Power on all equipment.

Procedure
1) Mount the pulley at the end of the table. Place the accessory speaker about 50 cm from
the pulley. Connect one end of the string to the mechanical vibrator unit and let the other
end hang over the pulley at the end of the table.
2) The Power Amplifier (green and silver box) will produce a voltage signal which will
drive the speaker and make your string vibrate.
3) SETTING THE LABQUEST: Select the Power Amplifier option on the home-screen of
the LabQuest (if you are not in what looks like a home screen, find and press the home
icon. Check the settings:
a. Set the voltage to AC, 4 V
b. Set the signal shape to a sine wave (~)
c. Set the frequency to 20 Hz

4) Attach a total mass of about 150 g to the end of the string hanging over the pulley.
Measure and record the mass value using the electronic balance.
5) Slide the Speaker Accessory away from the pulley end of the table to maximize the length
of string that will form your standing waves.
6) Measure the length of the string, L, between the fixed end points and record the value.
7) Turn on the function generator. Press Play on the LabQuest screen. You can adjust the
frequency using the green slider, the up/down icons surrounding the frequency display, or
by touching the display and manually typing in a new fewquency. The digital display
gives the frequency in Hz.
8) Determine the frequencies of the first three standing waves (f1, f2, and f3). Record the
values and sketch the wave pattern in each case.
9) Attach a total mass of about 250 g to the end of the string hanging over the pulley.
Measure and record the mass value using the electronic balance.
10) Repeat step 8.

11)Your instructor will give you the mass and length of a string sample (not yours, but the
same kind of string). Record the values.

Worksheet
1) Linear mass density of the string sample (in kg/m).____________________
2) Sketch the first three standing waves. Be sure to label the wavelength of each.
f 1:

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f2:

f3:

3) Tension 1 (in Newtons):________________

Harmonic

f (Hz)

(m)

v (eq. 1)

v (eq. 2)

% Diff. (v)

v (eq. 2)

% Diff. (v)

f1
f2
f3
Tension 2 (in Newtons):__________________
Harmonic
f1
f2

!
!
!
!

f3

f (Hz)

(m)

v (eq. 1)

!
!

Questions:
4) Do you feel that your results verify equation (1) for wave speed based on string tension
and linear mass density? Explain.
5) Do you feel that your results verify equation (4) for higher harmonics based on the first
harmonic frequency? Explain. In words, your higher harmonic frequencies should be
multiples of the f1 fundamental frequency.
6) Use equation (5) and your data to calculate what f1 should have been for each string
tension. Compare the observed and calculated values by percent difference.