LAB-4 (OL) STANDING WAVES ON A STRING USING PHET

SIMULATION
1/3/2025
OBJECTIVE
To study standing waves on a string and see the effects of changing the tension in the string,
EQUIPMENT
PhET Simulation Wave on a String: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/wave-on-a-string
You can also reach this simulation by going to PhET, and looking for Wave on a String.

THEORY
Standing waves are present in all stringed instruments, as well as in other places such as in
tuning forks. In this experiment we will see how the length of the string, frequency and tension in
the string are related.
Standing waves (stationary waves) are produced when two traveling waves of same wavelength
and speed travel in opposite directions through the same medium. Figure 1 shows a taut string,
where a mechanical vibrator produces a wave on a string at one end, which moves to the other
end and are reflected from a fixed support that produces a returning wave. We thus have two
waves traveling in opposite directions. These waves interfere with each other to produce standing
waves. Where the two waves are always 1800 out of phase, very little motion occurs (none if the
amplitudes are the same). Such places are called nodes.

Figure 1: Standing Wave Photo, showing 3 antinodes and 4 nodes (third hormonic)

Where the two waves are in phase, the motion is

maximum. These positions are call anti-nodes.
Figure 2 shows different representations of a
standing wave. They match well what the eye or
camera sees since the string speed is minimum at
the extremes. The node-to-node distance is one-half
of the wavelength, so in the length L, there are nλ/2
waves, where ‘n’ is the number of antinodes, or
harmonics in the wave. For a taut string, there must
be a node at each end when there is a standing
wave pattern in the string. Hence the number of
nodes will be one more than the number of
antinodes. For this experiment, one fixed end where Figure 2: Modes of Vibration
the string attaches to the mechanical vibrator is not
exactly a node since the wand vibrates up a down a
little. However, the error involved is small, and we
will neglect it.
Theory: Standing Waves in Strings
For any wave with wavelength λ and frequency f, the speed, v, is
v = λf (1)
The speed of a wave on a string is also related to the tension in the string, T, and the linear
density (=mass/length), μ, by
v2 = T/μ = λ2f2 (2)
L is the length of the string and n is the number of segments, antinodes, or harmonics. Since a
segment is 1/2 wavelength then
λ = 2L/n where n = 1, 2, 3, … (3)
Solving Equation 2 for the tension yields:
T = μλ2f2 (4)
Which can also be written as:

f=
√
1 T
λ μ
(5)

PROCEDURE
Constant Tension
1. Open the software. Select: Oscillate, Amplitude = 0.10 cm, Damping = 0, Tension = Lowest,
Fixed End.
2. Turn on the oscillator by pressing the large blue button with the arrow. You will see the wave
going from left to right, hit the fixed end and reflect. The reflected waves will interfere with
the waves going to the right.
3. Now adjust the frequency in the Signal Generator until you get a standing wave in one
segment (i.e. the first harmonic). Note this frequency, and measure the wavelength by using
the ruler tool.
4. Increase the frequency gradually until you obtain a standing wave in the 2 nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th
harmonic. Record each frequency and wavelength.
5. Calculate the wavelength by using equation (3).
6. Calculate the velocity of the waves by using equation (1)
7. Change the oscillator to Pulse. Keep the pulse width small. Measure the time taken by the
pulse to travel from the left to the right ends, and hence calculate the velocity of the pulse in
the string. Repeat three times and take the average. Use this value as a second value of the
speed of the wave.
8. Calculate the percent difference between the two speeds.
9. Repeat for the other two available tensions of the string.
DATA TABLE
Length of the string: ____________
Case A: Lowest Tension

Table A1 Measure the speed of wave by pulse traveling on a string [ 5%]

Trial number Time for pulse to reach other end Speed of the wave (cm/s)

Average speed of the wave

Table A2 Measure the speed of wave by the nth harmonic of standing wave [10%]
Number of Number of Wavelength Frequency Speed of wave
Harmonic nodes λ = 2L/n f V = λ*f
(n) (cm) (Hz) (cm/s)
1

5
Average speed of the wave

Calculate the percent difference between the two speeds (average) in the two tables __________%
[5%]
Length of the string: ____________
Case B: Medium Tension
Table B1 Measure the speed of wave by pulse traveling on a string [ 5%]
Trial number Time for pulse to reach other end Speed of the wave (cm/s)

Average speed of the wave

Table B2 Measure the speed of wave by the nth harmonic of standing wave [10%]
Number of Number of Wavelength Frequency Speed of wave
Harmonic nodes λ = 2L/n f V = λ*f
(n) (cm) (Hz) (cm/s)
1

5
Average speed of the wave

Calculate the percent difference between the two speeds (average) in the two tables __________%
[5%]

Length of the string: ____________

Case C: Highest Tension
Table C1 Measure the speed of wave by pulse traveling on a string [5%]
Trial number Time for pulse to reach other end Speed of the wave (cm/s)

Average speed of the wave

Table C2 Measure the speed of wave by the nth harmonic of standing wave [10%]
Number of Number of Wavelength Frequency Speed of wave
Harmonic nodes λ = 2L/n f V = λ*f
(n) (cm) (Hz) (cm/s)
1

5
Average speed of the wave

Calculate the percent difference between the two speeds (average) in the two tables __________%
[5%]

Lab-4 Activity (submit to Canvas during lab time)

 1. [5 points] Upload document/Image of the screenshot of corresponding simulation for Case A (first
harmonic, smallest tension).
2. [15 points] Finish the two data tables for Case A.

Lab-4 report grading guideline [80 points]

1. Typewriting (without handwriting) (10 points)
2. A title page and Table of Contents (5 points):
o On the title page include your name and index number (your instructor will assign you an index
number in this course and it is used only in this course); course name and number; the number, title,
and date of the lab.
o The following page should contain the Table of Contents for this report.
3. The instruction pages (Not required 0 point):
o 3.1 The Purpose / Objectives of the experiment
o 3.2 The List of Apparatus / Equipment used in the experiment
o 3.3 The Theory and equations used.
o 3.4 Summary of the procedure / how the data was acquired.
4. Data and observations and calculation (60 points: corresponding to six tables. Grading scale details
are on each table of the manual):
o Record all your measurements carefully in a tabular form. Use data sheets from the manuals. Be sure to
write the units for the data. You may have to modify the data sheet that is available in the manual due
to different type of equipment in the lab.
o In the Table you should show the final calculation results that you have obtained in this experiment. Be
sure to consider significant figures and include the units and percent errors in the results.
5. Discussion/Conclusion (5 points):
o In this section, include a summary, conclusion and discussion of the results. This usually requires you
to state how good your results are in comparison with the objectives you stated at the beginning of your
report. Compare your results with accepted values and state the percentage error. Discuss the sources of
these errors and give other comments you would like to make about the experiment. Discuss areas of
improvement in procedure to reduce errors.

Graph in your lab report

o You should draw your graph using Capstone-software:
o The graph should have all the details related to the graph.
o The graph data region should roughly form a square region.
o Each axis is labeled with the quantity plotted.
o The units of the quantities plotted.
o The title of the graph is on the graph paper.

Data table (either in the data observation or data analysis) in your lab report:
o The table should always Type-writing.
o The data table should be the same format as the table in the lab manual (you may copy the data table
form the manual).
o Be sure the significant figures are correct.
o Be sure each quantity should have its correct unit.
Zero grade will give to the report that directly copy from the lab handout except the data tables.