Physics SL

Title: The effect of guitar string length on frequency.

Research Question: To what extent does the length of a guitar string affect the frequency of
the harmonics?

Introduction:

This experiment was conducted in order to establish the relationship between the
length of a string and the frequency that it produces. The independent variable is the length
of the string that will be manipulated by changing the position of the bridge under the string.
The dependent variable is the frequency that the string produces. In this experiment,
standing wave analysis will be used to determine the relationship between the length of a
guitar string and the frequency of the pitch it produces. The length of the guitar string, which
is varied by fretting it, acts as the independent variable, while the frequency (Hz) generated
acts as the dependent variable. Since the variables have an inverse connection, it is
expected that as the length of the guitar string gets shorter, the frequency of the pitch
produced will increase. This association was verified after analysis. The independent
variable of this experiment is the frequency that is produced by the sting, this will be
calculated using the Phyphox application which allows for the recording of different
frequencies. The dependent variable is the length of the string, I will be manipulating this in
5cm increments in order to determine the relationship of string length and the frequency that
it produces.
Personal Engagement:
As music becomes more popular and widely created in modern society, the
technology of music has also developed through the creation of applications and platforms
such as FL Studio and Ableton along with user-friendly and easily accessible programs such
as garageband have allowed the public to easily produce and explore the ideas of
composition. I have always been interested in the popular culture of the music industry which
is what encouraged me to do my Internal Assessment with the themes of music. It allows me
to further understand the intricacies of music productions and the way in which sound is
produced. Furthermore, it has inspired me to continue to learn more about the science of
music which I will then be able to transfer into the learning of an instrument. Although I
believe that learning how to play music is becoming less crucial to one's ability to produce
music due to the developments in musical technology as well as the effortless and
accessible nature of these platforms. Therefore, the understanding of the music and
frequencies is becoming more important to production itself.

Background Research:
Guitar strings have natural vibrations that are caused by frequency, these are known
as the harmonics. The frequencies at which the strings vibrate are due to the tension within
the string, this can be manipulated by the tuning of the guitar. Each harmonic aligns with a
standing wave pattern. A fundamental frequency is the frequency at which a string vibrates.
However, the same string can be used to create pitches with different frequencies. The
length, diameter, tension, and density of the string are the four parameters that influence its
frequency. When a string's length is adjusted, it vibrates at a different frequency. Strings with
a shorter length have a greater frequency and, as a result, a higher pitch. When the reflected
waves and the originating wave collide, a standing wave is created. Main cause is
constructive interference. To create a standing wave, this interference must be resonant.
Therefore, standing waves arise at particular frequencies, or note frequencies. The
wavelength of these frequencies is small enough to fit between string nodes. Interfering
waves can produce a superposition or a large wave with a maximum amplitude that is two
times greater than the amplitude of the originating wave. Frequency can be defined as the
number of waves that pass a certain point within one unit of time. It refers to the number of
cycles or vibration that have occurred during the unit in time. These take place within a body
in periodic motion which has undergone a single cycle or vibration after passing through s a
series of states until finally returning to its original state.

f=frequency
l=length of guitar string
T=string tension
P=Density of sting

Some materials allow sound to travel more quickly than others. Until something
blocks their course, sound waves leave their source in a straight line. Sound is deflected
from its initial path when it enters a different medium at an angle other than 90 degrees.
Refraction is the term used to describe this shift in direction. A portion of the wave enters the
new medium first and changes speed due to the angle. The wave bends as a result of the
velocity differential. Each material's elastic modulus and density play a role in determining
the sound velocity it can produce.
 The fundamental frequency's resonant frequencies are called harmonics. These
waves are more than the fundamental frequency. Overtones and harmonics are distinct
from one another. Overtones indicate that the new frequency is above fundamental and
overtones, whereas harmonics require resonance with the frequency below either harmonic
or not.

Figure 2:
The ratio of harmonics exists. This ratio is shown in Figure 2. The first harmonic would
possess a wavelength of 2 if the fundamental wave has a wavelength of 2λ. Due to the face
that wavelength and frequency are both known, the speed of the wave on the string can be
calculated using this ratio. All harmonics would have smaller amplitudes because of the
friction on the string.

Standing waves are formed through the reflection of waves and which initial waves in. Giving
the new wave and amplitude twice the size of the original waves.

Variables:
Variables Measurements How will this be
manipulated/measured?

Independent Variable (cm) Length of string (5cm, 10cm, By moving the bridge
15cm, 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, underneath the sting in
35cm, 40cm, 45cm, 50cm) order to change the length
 of it.

Dependent Variable (Hz) Frequency (Hz) Using the Phyohox app

Controls 1. Thickness of wire 1. Through using the

2. String tension same wire that has a
3. External sound diameter of 0.45mm
4. Material of string 2. The tension was
kept at 20N
throughout the data
collection
3. Maintaining a quiet,
isolated
environment.
Retaking data when
external noise has
affected it
4. Using the same
string just
manipulated the
length of it though
the movement of the
block.

Equipment:
- Sonometer
- Ruler
- Phyphox App

Method:
1. Gather all of your equipment (sonometer, ruler, phyohox app and data collection
method)
2. Set up Phyphox app on your smartphone
3. In a quiet environment setup sonometer
4. Measure 5cm from the base of the sting
5. Place the bridge 5 cm from base
6. Open ‘Audio Spectrum’ on Phyphox app
7. Click play button to start
8. Strum the string
9. Stop the recording
10. Make note of the ‘peak frequency’ in the raw data table
11. Repeat steps 7-10 until you have competed three trials
12. Move the bridge 5cm up the string
13. Repeat steps 7-12 until you have collected the data in 5cm intervals up until 50cm
Risk Assessment:
There’s no high risk when it comes to the safety or carrying out this experiment as it
does not involve chemicals, sharp objects or heat, although heavy objects are being used
which may cause certain danger therefore precautions will be taken to ensure safety. The
first precaution that must be taken is wearing proper footwear as a means to protect your
feet if the materials were to fall. Secondly, water must be kept away from the sonometer to
minimise the risk of potential electrocution.

Raw Data:
Frequency (± 0.01)Hz
Length (cm)
±1mm Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Mean
5.0 926.85 970.01 913.67 936.84
10.0 630.07 684.82 632.84 649.24
15.0 489.14 485.84 486.39 487.12
20.0 348.17 349.02 349.04 348.74
25.0 288.4 288.75 289.1 288.75
30.0 246.42 246.74 246.74 246.63
35.0 219.13 219.13 218.88 219.05
40.0 196.68 196.95 196.7 196.78
45.0 182.24 181.55 181.55 181.78
50.0 159.08 158.91 158.91 158.97

Processed Data:

Length (cm) Mean (Frequency) Length Error (cm) Frequency Error

(Hz)

5.0 936.84 0.1 11.2

10.0 649.24 0.1 27.39

15.0 487.12 0.1 1.66

20.0 348.74 0.1 0.445

25.0 288.75 0.1 0.36

30.0 246.63 0.1 0.17

35.0 219.05 0.1 0.135

40.0 196.78 0.1 0.145

45.0 181.78 0.1 0.355

50.0 158.97 0.1 0.095

Calculations:

𝑇1+𝑇2+𝑇3 926.85+970.01+913.67
Mean: 3
Example: 3
= 936. 84
((ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 +𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟)(𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟)) ((159.08+0.1)(158.91−0.1))
Error: 2
Example: 2
=0.095

Length (cm)

Evaluation:
The data collection section of the lab is the major aspect that could be improved for
the repetition of this experiment. For this experiment the data of the difference in frequency
was being recorded, this calls for a quiet environment so that the app does not pick up on
external frequencies and only takes into account the frequency of the string. This affected
the data because there were many times in which the data had to be re-recorded due to the
app recording alternative frequencies. This could explain why the errors are different for
different measurements. Another limitation to this lab was the application itself, oftentimes it
would repeat the same measurements or produce readings that were vastly different to the
ones before repeated on the same frequency. Therefore if this experiment was to be
repeated it should be done in a quiet environment in which there will be no distractions or
alternative frequencies affecting the data. The frequency should also be measured by a
frequency metre rather than the Phyphox application as it would produce a more accurate
reading of the frequency. A strength to this experiment would be accessibility, this is quite an
easy lab to carry out as it does not require many materials and all of them are household
items as the sonometer can be replaced by a guitar. Moreover, this lab also holds strength in
the accuracy of the independent variable, due to the fact that the IV is length. It is easy to
measure and keep consistent throughout data collection. Meaning that all the errors are
uniform and will not influence the results too heavily.
 Length (cm)

The linear graph uses the line of best fit using the formula 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 where 𝑥 is
the length of the sting and 𝑦 the frequency. Again in this graph we see a strong
negative correlation. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (𝑅) was calculated using
LoggerPro to be -0.8879. Seeing as Pearson’s Coefficient can only be between the
absolute values of numbers zero and one. R=-0.8879 shows a strong negative
correlation.
Even though the data's uncertainties were too small to be represented by error bars
on the graph, they should still be taken into consideration because they managed to
lower the accuracy of the data, as evidenced by the very similar values of a and b
and the linearized best fit line's deviation from the origin. First, the highest and lowest
gradients were determined. There was only a 0.001 cm error in the length, which
prevented these from being put on the graph. These error bars were so tiny that they
were hardly visible. Nevertheless, a formula was manually used to determine these
∆𝑦
gradients; 𝑚 = ∆𝑥
.

Conclusion:
This experiment has concluded that as the length of the sting is increased the
frequency that the sting produces decreases. The Universal Wave Equation states that
speed equals frequency times wavelength for all waves, including sound waves. The data
supports the hypothesis that frequency decreases with string length, although it does not
follow the line of best fit or the approximated values. Nevertheless it follows the same pattern
but at an alternative frequency. This experiment shows that there is an inverse relationship
between the length of the string and the frequency of each pitch. The frequency rises as the
string's length lowers. The outliers of my data are the first two data points which have a
higher error than <1. It is interesting to see that based on the pattern of the data, the first
data point was under the approximated value whereas the second was over. This could be
because the data are less precise; for example, average frequencies were published to two
decimal places, but theoretical frequencies were listed to a maximum of three. The
frequency increases with each subsequent note in the chromatic progression of an octave.
This proves the derived frequency equation and produces two linear gradients with R2
values of almost 1, indicating that frequency and string length are really indirectly
proportional. Furthermore, once the data was plotted in graph one there was a very clear
negative exponential relationship meaning that as the sting length increases the frequency
decreases.

Evaluation:
Strengths:
- Simplicity- all the equipment that was used is very common to any physics lab, there
is no ‘special’ equipment
- Safety- this is a very safe experiment as there are little implications that can cause
harm to the researcher. All the potential harm can be easily avoided.
Weaknesses:
- Human Inaccuracy- it is very unlikely that the string is strummed with the same
force for every single trail. Therefore, results can be influenced by the force that is
acted upon the string by the researcher.
- Application Error - there may be inaccuracy in the frequencies picked up by the
application as it only measures to an extent and a phone will not be able to process
frequencies with the highest level of accuracy.
- External Noise- there is a high chance that data could be influenced by other noise
and frequency interference. Due to the fact that the experiment was carried out in a
school environment it was not possible to create a soundproof atmosphere where
only the frequency of the string itself.
Works Cited:

Aaron, Kim. “Why Does the Diameter of a String Affect Its Natural Frequency ... -
Quora.” Quora, 2016,
https://www.quora.com/Why-does-the-diameter-of-a-string-affect-its-natural-frequency.

“Acoustic Impedance.” Nondestructive Evaluation Physics : Sound, Iowa State

University, 2021, https://www.nde-ed.org/Physics/Sound/acousticimpedance.xhtml.

Evcimen, S. (2014). THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE FREQUENCY OF

A GUITAR STRING Extended Essay (Physics HL). [online] TED ANKARA COLLEGE
FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL. Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/31198046.pdf.

“Physics Tutorial: Guitar Strings.” The Physics Classroom,

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-5/Guitar-Strings.