Standing Waves on Strings



Pre-Lab Checklist

1. In your own words, describe the system to be studied.

2. List and define all of the parameters to be measured directly.

3. List any quantities that will be calculated.

4. List any graphs that will be created during the analysis of thisexperiment.


Experiment Notes

1. When measuring the length of the string, measure from the top of thepulley to the point where the string is tied to the oscillator. Make thisdistance as long as possible to minimize the error in this distance, L,caused by the motion of the oscillator itself.

2. When varying the tension, add and/or subtract masses as needed. You willhave plenty of time to take your data, so be very careful and precise in yourmeasurements.

3. The maximum number of antinodes on the string averages at around seven,but groups in the past two years have been able to produce ten or elevenantinodes on some strings. See how many you can produce.

4. In procedure #3, calculate the velocity using both equation 2 andequation 3.

5. Repeat procedures 1-5 for a second string having a different lineardensity.


Analysis Notes

1. Your results section should include a table of the speeds calculatedusing equation 2 and equation 3 for each of the two strings.

2. Describe what happened when you grasped the string halfway between a nodeand an antinode. Explain why you think the string behaved in this way. Howdoes your string system show resonance? Be as thorough as possible in yourexplaination

3. Compare the values of wave speed for different numbers of antinodes on thesame string. Describe as thoroughly as possible what happens as the number of antinodes increases?

4. Compare the values of wave speed calculated using equation 2 and equation3 for the same number of antinodes on the same string. Which equation involvesless experimental error? Explain your reasoning as thoroughly as possible.

5. Compare the values of wave speed for the same number of antinodes on thetwo different strings. How does the system with a light string differ from thesituation with a heavy string? Once again, be thorough in your explaination.


Grading Breakdown
Points
Purpose1
Results5
Calculations4
Analysis10



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