Factors affecting speed of wave

1. Which of the following factors do you think affect the speed of wave on a string?
(circle the letters)
A. Tension
B. Frequency
C. Wavelength
D. Amplitude

2. Use the data below to test your belief and give evidence that you were right or
wrong.

Tension Frequency Wavelength Amplitude Speed

Trial (N) (Hz) (m) (m) (m/s)

1 2 4 4 0.2 16
2 2 8 2 0.4 16
3 2 12 1.33 0.6 16
4 2 16 1 0.8 16
5 2 20 0.8 1.0 16
6 5 12 2.08 1.2 25
7 5 20 1.25 1.4 25
8 5 25 1 1.6 25

Describe the outcome. To help interpretation you can use the graphs on the next page.

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Graphs:

V(m/s) V(m/s)
25 25

20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 5 10 15 20 0 2 4 8 12
25 F(Hz) 16 λ(m)
Speed versus frequency Speed versus wavelength
graph graph

V(m/s) V(m/s)
25 25

20 20

15 15
10 10

5 5

0 2 0 1
4 8 1 T(N) 2 A(m)
2
Speed versus tension Speed versus amplitude
graph graph