Year 12

Core Practical 5
Investigating
Stationary Waves
 Investigation Aim
Aims of the Experiment
The overall aim of the experiment is to measure how the
frequency of the first harmonic is affected by changing one
of the following variables:
● The length of the string
● The tension in the string
● Strings with different values of mass per unit length
 Variables
● Independent variable = either length, tension, or mass per unit length
● Dependent variable = frequency of the first harmonic
● Control variables
○ If length is varied = same masses attached (tension), same string
(mass per unit length)
○ If tension is varied = same length of the string, same string (mass per
unit length)
○ If mass per unit length is varied = same masses attached (tension),
same length of the string
Experimental Setup
Experimental Setup
 Method
5. Plot a graph of f vs. 1/L to
1. Set up apparatus so that L get a gradient of V/2
matches the 1st harmonic
6. Use v = √T/𝛍 to verify
2. Measure the frequency 3
times, find the average
fmean
3. Adjust L to find new f1
(same averaging)
4. Repeat several times
Table of Results

L/m F1 / Hz f2 / Hz f3 / Hz Fmean / Hz

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0
 Calculate the frequency for
each oscilloscope reading.

Use the formula f = 1/T

Each division on the

oscilloscope is equal to the
time shown in the box
highlighted (note: this will be
different for each length so
double check)
 Download your own copy of the
Google Slides and then you will be
able to adjust the photos on the
following slides to be able to see
the oscilloscope screen clearly.

Please do not edit this copy as it

will make it difficult for other
students to use
0.2m
0.4m
0.6m
0.8m
1.0m
 𝛍 = mass per unit length
Analysis 𝛍=

Tension in the string - given by the hanging

masses
T=mxg
m = 300g