Practical 1 : Determining the fundamental frequency and resonance frequency for a plucked

stringed instrument model

AIM To determine :
(i) the resonance frequency for a plucked stringed instrument
(ii) the speed of sound in the string
(iii) mass per unit length of the string
BACKGROUND Fundamental frequency is the lowest frequency produced by any
INFORMATION particular instrument. The fundamental frequency is also called the first
harmonic of the instrument. A stationary wave pattern is formed for
waves whose wavelengths ‘fit’ into the length of the string (Duncan, T.,
1994).

The fixed ends must be displacement nodes N. If the string is plucked

in the middle the simplest mode of vibration is shown in Figure 1(a), A
is a displacement antinode. This creates the fundamental note of
frequency f, and
λ where l is the length of
l=
2 the string

The frequency f = v / λ is therefore,

v where v is the speed of the
f =
2l transverse wave along the string

Laws of vibration of stretched strings

The speed v of a transverse wave travelling along a stretched string is
given by
T whereT is the tension in the string
v=√ and μ is its mass per unit length,
μ
v
From f = , It follows that :
2l
1. f ∝ 1/l if T and μare constant
1 T 2. f ∝ √ T if l and μare constant
f = √
2l μ 3. f ∝ 1/√ μ if l and T are constant
 In mechanical systems, resonance is a phenomenon that occurs when
the frequency at which a force is periodically applied is equal or nearly
equal to one of the natural frequencies of the system on which it acts.
Resonant frequency is the tendency of a system to oscillate at
maximum amplitude at certain frequencies. At these frequencies, even
small periodic driving forces can produce large amplitude vibrations,
because the system stores vibrational energy.

A Sonometer is a device for demonstrating the relationship between

the frequency of the sound produced by a plucked string, and the
tension, length and mass per unit length of the string. 
VARIABLES (a) Manipulated : Frequency of tuning forks
(b) Responding : the resonance frequency for a plucked stringed
instrument, the speed of sound in the string,
mass per unit length of the string
(c) Constant : Diameter of string, tension of the string (T )
MATERIALS Sonometer, set of tuning forks, paper rider, meter stick, weight, Newton
AND meter, constantan wire, wooden bridge, hammer
APPARATUS
PROCEDURE

Figure 1
1. Set up the sonometer as shown in the Figure 1. Make the string as
long as possible by moving the bridges apart.
2. Place the paper rider on the middle of the string.
 3. Strike the lowest frequency tuning fork and rest its handle where the
string meets a bridge.
4. Adjust the tension of the string until it resonates strongly with the
tuning fork. This happens when the paper rider jumps off the string.
The tuning fork may have to be struck multiple times before the
appropriate tension is found. A constantan wire set to the frequency of
the tuning fork can help to find the correct tension.
5. Note the tension reading on the force meter and ensure that it
remains at this value for the duration of the experiment.
6. Note the length of string between the two bridges using a metre
stick.
7. Make the string resonate with each of the higher frequency tuning
forks in turn by adjusting the position of the bridges, Note the length of
string between the bridges in each case.
8. Tabulate all the readings.
1
9. Plot the graph frequency against .
length
10. Calculate :
 The speed of sound in the string
 Mass per unit length, μ of the string
11. Discuss and draw conclusion from the results.
OBSERVATION, Frequency of Length of string 1
ANALYSIS, tuning forks (Hz) between two length
DISCUSSION bridges (m) (m-1)
256 0.150 6.67
288 0.130 7.69
320 0.105 9.52
341 0.095 10.52
384 0.080 12.50
426 0.075 13.33

T = 3.5N

Relation between frequency and length

From the law of length, f × l=constant, hence, graph between f and

1
will be a straight line.
length

From the graph, it follows the law of length where the shape of
graph is a straight line. First, we need to find the gradient from the
graph through formula :
f
Gradient = 1 = fl
()
l ¿
¿
y 2− y 1
fl =
x 2−x 1
360−0
=
11−0
= 33
v
Second, from the equation f = , we can derive the formula to find
2l
speed which is f (2 l¿ = v , hence
v = 2 (33)
= 66 ms-1
Theoretically, since the molecules vibrate faster, sound waves can
travel more quickly in air. The speed of sound in room temperature air
is 346 meters per second. This is faster than 331 meters per second,
which is the speed of sound in air at freezing temperatures. Meanwhile,
the sound speed in the string from this experiment is 66ms -1 which
means the sound wave travels slower through a medium that has
mass.

If a string which is stretched between two fixed points is plucked at its

centre, vibrations produced and it move out in opposite directions
along the string. Because of this, a transverse wave travels along the
string.

If a string of length having mass per unit length is stretched with a

tension T, the fundamental frequency of vibration f is given by f =

1 T
√ and we can find the mass per unit length of the string :
2l μ

1 T
(gradient) fl= √
2 μ
 1 3.5
66 = √
2 μ
3.5
66 (2) = √
μ
3.5
1322 =
μ

μ = 3.5
1322

μ=¿2.010 x 10-4 kgm-1

CONCLUSION 1
The frequency of a stretched string is directly proportional to .
length
The speed of sound in the string is 66 ms-1
Mass per unit length, μ of the string is 2.010 x 10-4 kgm-1
REFERENCES Cheong, F. C. (2011). Pre-U Text STPM Physics Volume 2. Selangor
Darul Ehsan: Pearson Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
Duncan, T. (1994). Advanced Physics Fourth Edition. London: John
Murray Ltd.

APPENDICES

Picture 1 : Transfer of the frequency from the tuning fork to the string.
Picture 2 : Measure the length between two wooden blocks

Picture 3 : Paper rider jumps off the string