Physics Study Guide/Standing waves

Standing waves Wave speed is equal to the square root of tension divided by the linear density of the string. μ = m/L Linear density of the string is equal to the mass divided by the length of the string. λmax = 2L The fundamental wavelength is equal to two times the length of the string. Variables λ: wavelength (m) λmax: fundamental wavelength (m) μ: linear density (g/m) v: wave speed (m/s) F: force (N) m: mass (kg) L: length of the string (m) l: meters (m) Definition of terms Tension (F): (not frequency) in the string (t is used for time in these equations). Units: newtons (N) Linear density (μ): of the string, Greek mu. Units: grams per meter (g/m) Velocity (v) of the wave (m/s) Mass (m): Units: grams (g). (We would use kilograms but they are too big for most strings). Length of the string (L): Units: meters (m) Fundamental frequency: the frequency when the wavelength is the longest allowed, this gives us the lowest sound that we can get from the system. In a string, the length of the string is half of the largest wavelength that can create a standing wave, called its fundamental wavelength.