Purpose: To demonstrate standing waves on a string.

Vibrator and driver, string with one end attached to the vibrator, the other passing over a pulley and attached to a 2-N weight.

Qualitative--Adjust the frequency to show the desired number of standing waves on the string.

Quantitative--Weigh the string to determine its mass, and measure the length of the string between the vibrator and the pulley. Using the tension in the string based on the mass hanging from the end, calculate the frequency for a given number of nodes. Check that such a frequency does give the appropriate standing-wave pattern.

Note: The figure below is a flash photograph that shows the string at a given instant in its motion. A series of strobe lights can be connected to the function generator to stop the wave motion

References:

Manual: None