How do you determine the wavelength of the string?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the wavelength of a string given its length, mass, tension, and frequency. The subject area pertains to wave mechanics in the context of strings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between wave velocity, tension, and linear density. Some suggest calculating wave velocity to find the wavelength, while others question the interpretation of frequency and its relation to wavelength.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided various approaches to the problem, including formulas for wave velocity and relationships involving frequency and wavelength. There is an acknowledgment of a misreading of the tension, which may affect the calculations discussed.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the linear density and its units, as well as a correction regarding the tension value, which may impact the ongoing calculations and interpretations.

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There is a string 1m in length, 100g in mass and has tension of 10N. 9.5 Hz of frequency is applied to it.

I know this question is meant to be simple but how do you determine the wavelength of the string?

Thank you.
 
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The wave velocity is given by the square root of (tension over linear density).
Once you know the wave velocity you can get the wave length from that and the frequency.
 
The wavelength is one over the frequency, so just divide 1 by 9.5 and that tells you the lenghth of one period or the wavelength.
 
HallsofIvy said:
The wave velocity is given by the square root of (tension over linear density).
Once you know the wave velocity you can get the wave length from that and the frequency.

The linear density has units of kg/m, right? So v = 10/0.1^(1/2) = 10m/s. But when this is substituted into v=wavelength*f, the wavelength is 1.05, which doesn't make sense.
 
Ok velocity of wave in a string with tension is given by:

[itex] <br /> v= \sqrt \frac{T}{m}<br /> [/itex]


where m=mass per unit length.


Now apply v=f(Wavelength) to get the answer
 
I misread the tension (it was meant to be 1N).

Thanks guys.
 

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