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Anonymous
Anonymous asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 1 decade ago

Physics -guitar string frequency and wavelength question?

If we increase the tension on a guitar string, what effect does this have on the frequency and wavelength of the fundamental standing wave formed on the string? Explain.

2 Answers

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  • Jacy
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    v = √T/μ, where T:tension, μ:linear density

    v = fλ, where f:frequency, λ:wavelength

    Since the speed of sound wave is directly proportional

    to string tension, increasing the tension results

    in a higher speed wave. But by increasing string tension

    we are restricting the large movement of the string from its

    equilibrium postion and the wavelength of the standing

    wave is smaller while its frequency increases.

  • 1 decade ago

    Increasing tension increases the speed of sound in the string.

    The wavelength of a standing wave is determined by the locations of the nodes, the places where the string is forced to be unmoving. Those don't change as you tighten the guitar string.

    Speed = frequency * wavelength

    Speed increases, wavelength is constant, so frequency...?

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