Name:
Lab #2: Standing Waves
Preparation for the lab
SUBMIT TO THE OMNIVOX DROPBOX BY 10 PM THE EVENING BEFORE THE LAB
PART 1: Wave on a string
1. Write down an expression for the wavelength as a
function of the length 𝐿 of the string for each of the four
harmonics shown on the left.
2. From the expressions above, find the expression for the
wavelength of the n-th harmonic as a function of 𝐿.
3. Determine the expression for the frequency 𝑓 of the n-th
harmonic as a function of 𝐿 and 𝑣, the wave speed.
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4. A string of linear mass density of 0.0169 g/cm is attached at one end to a wall. At the other end,
it passes over a massless pulley and is attached to a hanging mass. Determine the tension in the
string and the wave speed if the hanging mass is
a. 200 g
b. 100 g
5. Instead of being attached to a wall, the string is attached to a motor generating sinusoidal wave.
The length of string between the motor and the pulley is 2.5 m. Using the information found in
the previous questions, find the frequencies for the first five modes. Take that opportunity to fill
in the theoretical parts of the lab report tables.
For m = 200 g For m = 100 g
n f (Hz) f (Hz)
1
2
3
4
5
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PART 2: Sound in air column
6. Write down an expression for the length of the air
column 𝐿 as a function the wavelength for each of the
three harmonics shown on the left.
7. From the expressions above, find the expression for the
length of the air column of the n-th harmonic as a
function of (where 𝑛 is an odd number).
8. A tuning fork emits a 512 Hz sound at the open end of a tube (one end is open, the other one is
closed). Find the length of tube required to have the first three resonances (occurrences of
standing waves). Assume that sound travels at 343 m/s.
Resonance Harmonic, n L (m)
First
Second
Third
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Lab 2: Standing Waves
Report presented by:
Date:
-4-
Objectives
In this lab, we are going to be verifying that:
Standing waves can only be produced for specific frequencies/wavelengths
depending on the boundary conditions and wave speed.
Part 1 – Wave on a string
To start, you will be generating standing waves on a 250 cm-long string of linear mass density of μ =
0.0169 g/cm (red).
L
PULLEY MOTOR
1. Set the wave speed on the string by hanging 200 g from the string.
2. Using your results from the prelab as a guide, find the third harmonic by adjusting the frequency
of the motor. Write down the frequency at which the standing wave is the clearest.
3. Repeat the procedure for the fourth and fifth harmonics.
4. Change the wave speed by hanging 100 g from the string and repeat the measurements.
5. Report all your results in Table 1
Part 1: Wave on a string
m = 200 g m = 100 g
Theoretical Experimental Theoretical Experimental
n frequency frequency frequency frequency
(Hz) (Hz) (Hz) (Hz)
3
4
5
Table 1: Results for red string
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Question 1: What is the longest possible wavelength λ for a standing wave on this string?
6. Change the string to the black one.
7. Choose a harmonic of 3, 4 or 5.
8. Use the hanging mass of 200g
9. Find the frequency creating a standing wave.
10. Determine the speed of the wave on that string and the wavelength for that mode.
n Frequency Wave speed Wavelength
Table 2: Results for black string
Calculations
Question 2: What is the longest possible wavelength λ for a standing wave on this string?
Question 3: Consider a standing wave in the same harmonic produced using the same
hanging mass and the same length but on different strings. Theoretically,
which of the following quantities were the same in both cases: wave speed,
wavelength, and/or frequency? Explain why. Explain how and why the other
quantities varied.
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Part 2 – Sound wave in a tube
WATER
TUBE VESSEL
A rubber hose is connected to the bottom of the tube and to a vessel of water which may be raised or
lowered, thus changing the level of the water in the tube.
Length prediction
As seen in class, speed of sound varies as a function of temperature:
T (℃)
vs = 330√1 + m/s
273℃
Question 4: Using the temperature of the lab, determine the speed of sound.
1. Calculate the theoretical lengths for the two first modes and report your results in Table 3.
2. One teammate will move the water vessel in such a way that the level of water in the tube will
pass through the theoretical length.
3. Start with the tuning fork of frequency f = 512 Hz. At the same time as step 1, another
teammate will strike the tuning fork with the rubber side of the hammer and bring the vibrating
fork close to the opening of the tube. Make sure that neither the hammer nor the vibrating
tuning fork comes in contact with the tube.
4. Read the experimental length of resonance on the graduated tape.
5. Report the experimental lengths of the two first modes in Table 3.
6. Compare theoretical and experimental lengths and report in Table 3 under % error.
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Resonance Theoretical Length (m) Experimental Length (m) % error
1
2
Table 3: Resonance of sound wave in air column
Calculations
Other frequency
7. Using the tuning fork of frequency f = 1024Hz, calculate the theoretical lengths for the first two
resonances.
8. Measure the experimental length of the air column when resonance occurs.
9. Report results in Table 4 and compare the theoretical and experimental values.
Frequency:
Resonance Theoretical Length (m) Experimental Length (m) % error
1
2
Table 4: Resonance using second tuning fork
Calculations
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Question 6: Consider a standing wave in the same harmonic for both tuning forks.
Theoretically, which of the following quantities were the same in both cases:
wave speed, wavelength, and/or frequency? Explain why this must be so and
how the other quantities varied and why.
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