ACOUSTICS

AND NOISE
CONTROL

EXPERIMENT 5
LAB REPORT

PRASHANT KUMAR MEENA

2014ME20745
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 Analytical and Experimental Determination of Normal Modes

These special Modes of Vibration of a string are called STANDING

WAVES or NORMAL MODES. The word standing wave comes from the
fact that each normal mode has wave properties (wavelength ,
frequency f), but the wave pattern (sinusoidal shape) does not travel left
or right through space it stands still. Each segment (/2 arc) in the
wave pattern simply oscillates up and down. During its up-down motion,
each segment sweeps out a loop.

The simplest normal mode, where the string vibrates in one loop, is
labelled n = 1 and is called the fundamental mode or the first harmonic.
The second mode (n=2), where the string vibrates in two loops, is called
the second harmonic. The nth harmonic consists of n vibrating loops.

Figure 1

Objective: To perform analytical and experimental determination of

normal modes of vibration in a string.

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Requirements:
Exciter
String
Different weight
Weight hanger
Frequency generator
Scale

Theory: String is fixed at one end where experiencing force and at other
end mass is hanging. We can consider this as string with force-fixed
vibration. Tension is created in the string by the mass hanging on other
side as shown in below fig.
For the force-fixed vibration string-

=


=
2

= 1,2,3 ..

Experimental Setup: The experimental setup is shown in figure 1. The

setup consists of an inextensible string, fixed at one end to the tip of
exciter and carrying weight at the other end and thus simulates the
condition of a Forced-Fixed String.

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While weighing the string at the end shown, the weight of hanger should
also be included, which is 100 gm.

Figure 2

The different parameters necessary for the experiment are given below:

Diameter of string = 0.9 mm

Density of string = 992.51 kg/m3
Weight of hanger = 100 gm

Procedure:

1. Attach a weight of 100 gm to the hanger. Including the hanger

weight. Now total weight is 200 gm.

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 2. With T1= 200 gm, note down the resonant frequencies
corresponding to three different lengths of string as L1 = 70 cm, L2=
90 cm and L3 = 110cm.
3. Measure the distance between nodes for all the three lengths with
T1 fixed.
4. Fallow above procedure with one more weight of T2 = 300 gm
including weight of hanger.
5. Determine the resonant frequencies and distance of nodes
analytically for above data of string.
6. Compare the experimental and analytical results and write down
the reasons for any difference between the two if any.

Calculation:

(Due to unavailability of one 50 gm weight experiment is done by taking

150 gm and 250 gm weight)

For weight 150 gm:

1 = 0.15 9.8 = 1.47

1 1
1 = =

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 = 992.51 kg/m3

= 2 = 6.36 107

1 = 48.25 /

For weight 250 gm:

2 = 0.25 9.8 = 2.45

2 2
2 = =

2 = 62.29 /

Length of node:

Theoretical frequency for:

= = 1,2
2

Length of string = 0.7 m

Here n = 1 and 1 = 48.25 /

1 = 28.14

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Similarly, calculating frequencies for different mode and three different
lengths L1, L2 and L3 with two different weight 150 gm and 250 gm.

Calculation table:

For weight 150 gm

Length of string (cm) 70 90 110

1st Natural Frequency Experimental 30 22 18
frequency (Hz) Analytical 28.14 21.88 17.90
Frequency Experimental 58 43 38
2nd Natural (Hz) Analytical 56.27 43.77 35.81
frequency Node length Experimental 35 44.6 54.8
(cm) Analytical 35 45 55
Frequency Experimental 87 68 57
3rd Natural (Hz) Analytical 84.41 65.65 53.71
frequency Node length Experimental 23 30.4 37
(cm) Analytical 23.33 30 36.67

For weight 250 gm

Length of string (cm) 70 90 110

Experimental 40 32 26
1st Natural frequency Frequency (Hz)
Analytical 39.79 30.95 25.32
2nd Natural Experimental 80 63 53
Frequency (Hz)
frequency Analytical 79.59 61.90 50.65

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 Node length Experimental 35 44.6 54.8
(cm) Analytical 35 45 55
Experimental 124 93 77
Frequency (Hz)
3rd Natural Analytical 119.38 92.85 75.97
frequency Node length Experimental 23 30.4 37
(cm) Analytical 23.33 30 36.67

Precaution:
The weight on the hanger must not exceed beyond 300 gm.
For changing the length of string, the exciter position may be
changed without disturbing the pulley position.
Check that end of string on hanger side doesnt touch the edge of
table on which the apparatus is mounted.

Observation:
By this experiment we observe that experimental and analytical
frequencies are pretty much close to each other. They are not accurate
because of many sources of error. Frequency increases if tension in the
string increases and this will opposite when we increase length of the
string. Also shape of mode become smaller (i.e. amplitude) if frequency
increases.

Source of Errors:
Human error during taking measurements, parallax error.
Weight is oscillating due to air flow.
May be density is not constant throughout the string.

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2.

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