Waves: String Physics? Correct my units

In summary, the velocity of a wave on a string is determined by the force exerted on the string and the mass per unit length. To calculate the force needed to create a 125Hz wave with a wavelength of 120cm on a 5.3m long string with a mass of 15g, we can use the equation [square root of T*length/mass]. The answer is approximately 63.7N. However, the error in the calculation may have been due to the incorrect conversion of units, as the wavelength should have been converted to 1.2m instead of 0.12m.
  • #1
pugfug90
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Waves: String Physics?? Correct my units..

Homework Statement


The velocity of a wave on a string depends on how hard the string is stretched and on the mass per unit length of the string. If T is the force exerted on the string and Mu is the mass/unit length, then velocity v is

http://nas.cl.uh.edu/blanford/FormulasWaves_files/image012.gif
(I think)

A piece of string 5.3m long has a mass of 15g. What must the force on the string be to make wavelength of a 125Hz wave 120cm?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


The given answer is 63.7N

I converted wavelength lambda to 0.12M and 15g to 0.015kg..
wavelength=velocity/frequency.. so wavelength*frequency=velocity..
0.12M*125Hz=15 m/s=velocity

15m/s = [square root of T(force)/Mu(mass length ratio)]
He also gave us another equation..
instead of [square root T/Mu], there is also [square root T*length/mass]

So..
15m/s=[square root of T*5.3m/0.015kg]
[(15^2 m^2)(0.015kg)]/[(s^2)(5.3m)]=T..
T=~0.636N..which would be right if it were multiplied by 100.. Anyone see where I went wrong?
 
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  • #2
120 cm is 1.2 meters not 0.12 meters.
 
  • #3
Har harrr
Oopss and thanks!
 

What is the equation for the speed of a wave on a string?

The equation for the speed of a wave on a string is v = √(T/μ), where v is the speed in meters per second (m/s), T is the tension in Newtons (N), and μ is the linear density in kilograms per meter (kg/m).

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency for a standing wave on a string?

The relationship between wavelength (λ) and frequency (f) for a standing wave on a string is λ = 2L/n, where L is the length of the string in meters (m) and n is the number of nodes in the standing wave. The frequency is related to the wavelength by the equation f = v/λ, where v is the speed of the wave on the string.

How does the tension in a string affect the speed of a wave?

The speed of a wave on a string is directly proportional to the tension in the string. This means that as the tension increases, the speed of the wave also increases. This relationship is described by the equation v = √(T/μ).

What is a node in a standing wave on a string?

A node is a point on a standing wave where the displacement of the string is always zero. This means that the string does not move at all at this point. In a standing wave, there are always nodes at the ends of the string and at points where the amplitude of the wave is zero.

What is a fundamental frequency and how is it related to the harmonics of a standing wave on a string?

The fundamental frequency is the lowest frequency at which a standing wave can be produced on a string. This corresponds to the first harmonic, where there is only one node in the standing wave. The second harmonic has two nodes, the third harmonic has three nodes, and so on. The frequency of the nth harmonic is n times the fundamental frequency.

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