Experiment Number - 4
Aim: To determine the velocity of a transverse wave in a stretched string.
Objective: The velocity of the wave depends on the characteristics of the medium. In this
experiment, we study the factors affecting the velocity of a wave in a stretched string. Tension
is the key factor that creates the disturbances and makes waves propagate along the string.
Theory:
Waves of many sorts are of considerable importance in physics. In this experiment, we study
a particular type of mechanical wave behavior i.e., standing waves formed in a stretched
string. According to the principle of superposition waves, when two waves having the same
amplitude, frequency, and wavelength are traveling in opposite directions will superpose to
form standing waves. For any type of wave motion, the velocity of the wave v, in (m/s) is
related by frequency f in (Hz) and the wavelength λ in (m) given by,
Velocity (v) = λf
The transverse wave velocity v (m/s) produced in the stretched string depends on the tension F
(N) and linear mass density µ in (Kg/m) under a measured tension by a vibrator of known fixed
frequency f = 50 Hz.
Velocity (v) =
1
On the other end of the string can pass over a pulley to a weight hanger on which, you place weight
to adjust tension F and the wavelength λ can be measured. For each case, the wave speed v can be
calculated from the measured quantities using the equations mentioned above.
Additionally, the two equations can be compared to get a relation between the measured
wavelength and tension in the string which depends only on the linear density μ of the string and the
vibrator fixed frequency f = 50Hz. The obtain expression
fλ = = µ= F/ f2λ2
On ploting of measurements of F vs λ2 gives a straight line, having a slope function and f and µ .
Apparatus: a) String, b) electric vibrator, c) pulley and supports, d) weight hanger and set of
known weights and meter stick.
Fig 1: represents a standing wave formation in a stretched string with one end attached to a vibrator
and the other end passing over a pulley to the weight.
Procedure:
2
1. Attach one end of the lighter string to the vibrator's aim. Pass the other end
over the pulley and attach it to the weight hanger.
2. Switch ON the vibrator.
3. Note down the mass of the empty weight hanger.
4. Measure the distance between the pulley and the first node encountered on
moving along the thread from the pulley to the vibrator and double it.
5. Increase the weight subsequently and note down a few more readings.
Observation:
Mode Mass in Kg Wavelength (λ) in Λ2(m2)
(m)
Graph:
Fig 2: represents graph on plotting F (N) vs λ2(m).
Calculations:
Slope obtained from the graph on plotting tension F(N) vs wavelength λ2 (m)
Slope = F/λ2 = µf2
µ = slope/ f^2
Final result(s): The linear density of the string is ……..kg m-1
3
Precautions:
1. Make the thread from the vibrator to the pulley straight.
2. Do not disturb the table on which the instrument is placed.
3. Measure length very carefully.
4. Do not exceed the supply voltage to the vibrator by more than 8 V.
Questions:
1. What are the characteristics of wave motion?
2. What is frequency and phase?
3. How to define wavelength?
What are the factors affecting the velocity of transverse waves?
