What Should Be the Tension in a Guitar String Producing Middle C?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the tension required in a guitar string to produce the note middle C (frequency 262 Hz) for a string of length 35.0 cm and mass 8.00 g. The relevant equations include the fundamental frequency formula f = nv/2L and the wave velocity equation v = √(T/μ). The participant initially calculated the velocity as 366 m/s, which aligns with the expected speed of sound in air, raising questions about the relationship between string velocity and audible sound production.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave mechanics and string vibration principles
  • Familiarity with the fundamental frequency equations for vibrating strings
  • Knowledge of mass density (μ) calculations for strings
  • Basic concepts of tension in physical systems
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  • Calculate the tension in the string using T = μv²
  • Explore the relationship between string tension and frequency in string instruments
  • Investigate the effects of string length and mass on pitch
  • Learn about different materials used for guitar strings and their impact on sound quality
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Musicians, particularly string instrument players and builders, physics students studying wave mechanics, and anyone interested in the acoustics of musical instruments.

forestmine
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Hello again!

Homework Statement



You are designing a two-string instrument with metal strings 35.0 cm long. Both strings are under the same tension. String S_{}1 has a mass of 8.00 g and produces the note middle C (frequency 262 Hz) in its fundamental mode. (a) What should be the tension in the string?

Homework Equations


f=nv/2L
v=λf
λ=2L/n
v=\sqrt{}T/μ

The Attempt at a Solution



I believe the first thing I need to do is calculate the velocity of the string. Since we are talking about its fundamental frequency, I set n=1. Therefore given that f=nv/2L, I did (262)(2)(.35)=183.4. Now, I had worked this problem earlier on a black board and my velocity I believe came out to be around 366 m/s, which seems to make much more sense to me, considering the speed of sound in the air is 344 m/s. My question is, for a string or an object to create an audible noise, must the velocity of the string be greater than 344 m/s. And if so, I don't understand what I'm doing differently this time around to produce exactly half the velocity I found last time.

Hope this was clear enough.

Thank you!
 
Last edited:
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