Waves travel through guitar strings as a result of the string's vibration. When a string is plucked, it begins to vibrate back and forth, creating a disturbance in the surrounding air molecules. These molecules then pass on the disturbance to neighboring molecules, causing the wave to travel through the air and produce sound.
The frequency of a guitar string is determined by its tension, length, and mass. A tighter and longer string will vibrate faster, producing a higher frequency or pitch. On the other hand, a looser and shorter string will vibrate slower, producing a lower frequency or pitch.
The thickness, or gauge, of a guitar string affects its sound in two ways. Firstly, a thicker string will have more mass and will vibrate slower, producing a lower frequency and a deeper sound. Secondly, a thicker string will also have a higher tension, resulting in a louder and more resonant sound.
Standing waves in guitar strings are created when a wave traveling through the string reflects back and interferes with the original wave. This results in certain points along the string, known as nodes, where the string does not vibrate at all, creating a stationary pattern. The frequency of a standing wave is determined by the length of the string and the speed of the wave.
The material of a guitar string can greatly affect its sound. Different materials, such as metal, nylon, or gut, have different densities and stiffness, which can impact the tension and vibrations of the string. This can result in variations in tone, volume, and sustain. Additionally, the material can also affect the feel and playability of the string for the guitarist.