Sound & Music - Tension of a string

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the tension required for a violin string with a fundamental frequency of 440Hz, a length of 32.4cm, and a mass of 0.340g. The initial attempts to find the tension using the wave speed and mass per unit length yielded incorrect results due to unit conversion errors. After correcting the wavelength calculation and ensuring proper unit alignment, the mass per unit length was confirmed to be 0.001049 kg/m. The final calculation for tension resulted in approximately 85.277N, which was verified as correct. Proper attention to units and significant figures is emphasized for accuracy in such calculations.
Torrie
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Homework Statement



  1. The A string on a violin has a fundamental frequency of 440Hz. The length of the vibrating portion is 32.4cm and has a mass of 0.340g. Under what tension must the string be placed?

Homework Equations


V = Fλ
Vs = √t/μ

The Attempt at a Solution


I plugged in my info to determine V = 142.604
then I attempted the second equation as:
T = .340(142.604^2)
This gave me the wrong answer
I also tried:
T = 1.049(142.604^2) - (.340g/.324m = 1.049g/m)
This also gave me the wrong answer. I am not sure what to do
 
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Now I realize that v = 285.12. I forgot to multiple length by 2 to get the wavelength.
But I still can't figure out the second equation
 
Torrie said:
Now I realize that v = 285.12. I forgot to multiple length by 2 to get the wavelength.
But I still can't figure out the second equation
Make sure that your units all match (pay attention to your units for μ).
 
Should μ be kg/m?
So... 0.00034/.324m = .001049kg/m?
 
Torrie said:
Should μ be kg/m?
So... 0.00034/.324m = .001049kg/m?
Yes.
 
Okay so then I have

.001049(285.12^2) = 85.277

So the tension would need to be 85.277N?
 
Looks right to me. Be sure to round to the required number of significant figures.
 
Thank you so much!
 
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