Finding the period of a vibrating ruler

[Learnphysics]

Homework Statement

This is a practical experiment. We have to find the factors effecting the period of a vibrating ruler. This entails finding first the period of a vibrating ruler. We have the equipment a ruler, a stopwatch, some stickytape and a pencil

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

The obvious idea is to tape the pencil t the end of the ruler and then have it vibrate to produce a pattern if you held a paper to the end of the ruler, but of course this leads to all kinds of errors including how are you going to hold the paper steady and account for the "arc" movement of the tip of the ruler in vibration.

Just wondering is there a better way. Involving the equipment provided.

 

[tiny-tim]

The obvious idea is to tape the pencil t the end of the ruler and then have it vibrate to produce a pattern if you held a paper to the end of the ruler, but of course this leads to all kinds of errors including how are you going to hold the paper steady …

Hi Learnphysics!

Do you need to hold the paper steady?

Why not just move it past the ruler … you only need the paper for counting the number of the vibrations … the wavelength doesn't have to be reproduced!