Required Practical 8:Waves in a Solid

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video?

  How to measure wavelength, frequency, and speed
• What is the purpose of the vibration generator in the experiment?

  To create vibrations in the string
• What is the length of the standing wave measured in the experiment?

  21.5 centimeters
• How do you convert 21.5 centimeters to meters?

  0.215 meters
• What is the wave equation used to calculate wave speed?

  Wave speed = frequency × wavelength
• If the frequency is 10 Hertz and the wavelength is 0.215 meters, what is the wave speed?

  2.15 meters per second
• What happens to the standing wave when the frequency is increased?

  It changes to have more half wavelengths
• How many half wavelengths are shown in the new standing wave?

  Three half wavelengths
• How do you calculate the wavelength from the total length and number of half wavelengths?

  Divide total length by half wavelengths, then multiply by 2
• If the total length is 0.215 meters and there are 3 half wavelengths, what is the wavelength?

  0.143 meters
• What frequency was used to create the wave with a wavelength of 0.143 meters?

  15 Hertz
• How do you calculate the wave speed with a frequency of 15 Hertz and a wavelength of 0.143 meters?

  Multiply 15 by 0.143
• What is the wave speed calculated from the frequency of 15 Hertz and wavelength of 0.143 meters?

  2.15 meters per second
• What does the wave speed depend on in the string experiment?

  Tautness of the string and mass per centimeter
• What is the method to calculate the wavelength from a standing wave?

  Divide total length by half wavelengths, then multiply by 2
• What are the steps to measure the features of waves in a solid?

  1. Use a string attached to a vibration generator.
  2. Keep the string taut with a hanging mass.
  3. Measure the total length of the standing wave.
  4. Use the wave equation to calculate speed.
  5. Adjust frequency to observe changes in standing waves.
• What are the characteristics of standing waves in stringed instruments?

  • Formed by resonance
  • Have specific wavelengths
  • Can have half wavelengths
  • Frequency affects the number of wavelengths