Frequency of a Standing Wave on a String

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the relationship between the frequency of a standing wave on a string and the tension in the string. The original poster attempts to show how a small change in tension affects the frequency, using equations related to wave speed and frequency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between tension, frequency, and wavelength, questioning how changes in tension affect these variables. There are attempts to derive a relationship between the changes in frequency and tension.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of how tension affects wavelength and frequency. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationships between these variables, but no consensus has been reached on the implications of the changes in tension.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of small changes in tension and how they relate to the properties of standing waves. There is an emphasis on the assumption that wavelength remains constant during small changes in tension, which is being questioned.

bcjochim07
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Homework Statement


The frequency of a standing wave on a string is f when the string's tnesion is T. If the tension is changed by the small amount deltaT, witout changing the length, show tat the frequency changes by an amount deltaf, such that

deltaf/f = .5 * deltaT/T


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



v=sqrt(T/Mu)

f= (1/lambda)*sqrt(T/Mu) When tension is increased, the wavelength will still be the same

f+deltaf=(1/lambda)*sqrt((T+deltaT)/Mu)
so delta f=(1/lambda)*sqrt((T+deltaT)/Mu)-f

deltaf/f = [(1/lambda)*sqrt((T+deltaT)/Mu)-f]/((1/lambda)*sqrt(T/Mu))

deltaf/f = sqrt(T+deltaT)/sqrt(T) -1

But I can't get it simplified any more than this
 
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any thoughts on this one?
 
bcjochim07 said:
v=sqrt(T/Mu)

f= (1/lambda)*sqrt(T/Mu) When tension is increased, the wavelength will still be the same

If [itex]\lambda = \frac{v}{f}[/itex] and [itex]\frac{dv}{dT}=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{T\mu}}[/itex], then how is it that the wavelength will be the same when tension is increased?

Regards,

Bill
 
It seems to me that if both f and v increase by some factor, that wavelength should remain the same, and if there is one wave still on the string when the tension changes very slightly, how could the wavelength change?
 
bcjochim07 said:
how could the wavelength change?

Because [itex]\frac{d\lambda}{dT}\neq 0[/itex]. Therefore, both [itex]\lambda[/itex] and f are functions of T.

Regards,

Bill
 

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