What Is the Speed of Waves on a Guitar String?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the speed of waves on a guitar string, specifically a 65-cm string resonating at certain frequencies within the range of 1.0 to 2.0 kHz. Participants are exploring the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and wave speed as described by the equation f = v/2l.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • One participant attempts to calculate the wave speed using the fundamental frequency derived from the resonant frequencies. Others question the units used in the calculations and seek clarification on the variables in the equation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing guidance on unit conversion and others clarifying the meaning of variables in the equation. There is an acknowledgment of errors in the initial calculations, but no consensus or resolution has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted need to convert frequencies from kHz to Hz for accurate calculations. The meaning of the variable "l" in the equation is also under discussion.

toothpaste666
Messages
517
Reaction score
20

Homework Statement


A 65-cm guitar string is fixed at both ends. In the frequency range between 1.0 and 2.0 kHz, the string is found to resonate only at frequencies 1.2, 1.5, and
1.8kHz .

What is the speed of traveling waves on this string?

Homework Equations


f = v/2l

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
Each one of these is a multiple of .3 so i think that is the fundamental frequency. Then I use f=v/2l or
v=2lf
v= 2 * .65 * .3
v = .39

but i did it wrong. can someone help please
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Check your units. You need to convert kHz to Hz in order to come up with a velocity in m/s.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: toothpaste666
toothpaste666 said:

Homework Equations


f = v/2l

What does "l" mean in that equation? And where does the equation come from?
 
jz92wjaz said:
Check your units. You need to convert kHz to Hz in order to come up with a velocity in m/s.
oh wow can't believe i missed that. thank you
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
Replies
4
Views
13K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K