# Standing waves on a string

1. Apr 12, 2014

### bennyq

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
This is a prelab question which I hope for some confirmation I'm thinking right.
A vibrating string is vibrating in the fundamental mode. The question is to plot a graph with a succession of applied tensions T on the x-axis and the resultant length L of the fundamental vibration mode on the y-axis

2. Relevant equations

Formula I have is L^2 = T/4μƒ^2

3. The attempt at a solution
Im thinking that all its asking is to plot a function like y=mx+c where 1/4μƒ^2 is the gradient?

Something of the sort, then ill go on to calculate the linear mass density (μ), do some calculations plot L^2 against T and find this gradient and find the frequency....

Oh and sid

2. Apr 12, 2014

### Simon Bridge

You will notice from the formula that L(T) is not a straight line.
To get a line you want to plot L^2 vs T ... you will expect the data to fall on a line like
$L^2 = mT + c$ ... so you have that right. Use the data to find m and c, compare with the theory.

You may want to anticipate the possibility (quite likely) that your data has a value of c that is non-zero.