AP Physics Multiple Choice Concept Question

[ShamTheCandle]

A standing wave pattern is created on a guitar string as a person tunes the guitar by changing the tension in the string. Which of the following properties of the waves on the string will change as a result of adjusting only the tension in the string?

1) Speed of the traveling wave that creates the pattern
2) Frequency of the standing wave
3) Wavelength of the standing wave

A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 2 only
D) 2 and 3 only
E) 1, 2 and 3

 

[diazona]

Well what do you think?

 

[ShamTheCandle]

Well what do you think?

I think that 1) is true, because as you increase Tension, velocity should increase since the formula v=(F/(m/L))^(1/2) for the standing waves. However, I don't know whether frequency increases or wavelength as a result, or both... I don't understand this concept very well.