Aim

To study the relation between the frequency and the length of a given wire under
constant tension using a sonometer.

Apparatus/Materials Required
• A set of four tuning forks
• A sonometer
• Seven ½ kg slotted weights
• Paper rider
• ½ kg hanger

Diagram

Theory

Procedure
 1. Place the sonometer on the table as shown in the figure
2. Put suitable maximum weight to the hanger
3. Move the wooden bridge P outward to include the maximum length of wire AB between them.
4. Pick the tuning fork of the least frequency from the set. Make it vibrate by striking its prong on
a rubber pad. Bring the fork close to the ear.
5. Pluck the wire AB from the middle and leave it to vibrate.
6. Listen to the sound produced by both the tuning fork and the wire and judge which has less
frequency.
7. Place an inverted V-shaped paper rider in the middle of the wire AB. Vibrate the tuning fork
and touch the lower end of its handle with a sonometer board. The wire AB vibrates due to
resonance and the paper rider falls.
8. Note the length of the wire AB
9. Bring the bridges closer and adjust the length of the wire by increasing little by little till the
rider falls.
10. Note the length of the wire and record it in ‘length increasing column.’

Observations
Constant tension on the wire, T = 1.5 kg.

Table for frequency and length

S.No load Tension Resonant L2 L2/t

length of
wire
1 3kg 3x9.8 = 19.5cm
2 4kg 21.8cm
3 5kg 24.3cm
4 6kg 26.5cm

Table for tension (load) and length:

S.No Frequency of Resonant

tuning fork length of wire 1/l
v (Hz) l cm–1
1 256 19.5cm
2 384 13.6cm
3 480 9cm
4 520 4.7cm

Calculations
1. Find the mean length l.
2. Determine 1/l
 3. Plot a graph between v and l, with v along the x-axis and l along the y-axis.

4. Now, plot a graph between v and 1/l, with v along the x-axis and 1/l along the y-axis.
The graph is a straight line as shown below.

Result
1) From the graph, it can be concluded that vl = constant.
2) From the graph, it is concluded that T ∝ l2 for constant frequency v and it corresponds to the
formula:

Precautions
1. The wires should be of uniform cross-section
2. Soft rubber pad should be used to strike the tuning forks.
3. The load should include hanger weight too.

Sources of Error
1. Frictionless pulley might not be used.
2. Sharp wooden bridges might not be used.