Physlet Illustration: The Speed of a Wave on a String

 

 

Interactive Help
on      off
Tension = Newtons Mass/Length =  g/m 
A wave pulse moves on a string as shown above.  The grid spacing is in meters and the times are shown in seconds. Vary the tension in the string (from 0 to 100 N) and the mass per unit length of the string (from 10 to 100 g/m) and determine the relationship between their values and the wave speed.  Is it correct? 

Hints

  1. Measure the position of the pulse at several times and determine the wave speed.  
  2. Does the wave speed increase or decrease when the tension is increased?
  3. Does the wave speed increase or decrease when the mass per unit length is increased?
  4. Is the wave speed equal to the tension divided by the mass per unit length?

Reference

See Walker, Section 14-2

Illustration written by Chuck Niederriter