Physics Laboratory Report
Lab W: Transverse Standing Waves On A String
Brandon Wright
Partners: Marc Barrera, O'Neil Montague
Ruben Jaya
Date of Experiment: 11/1/22
Date of Report Submission:11/8/22
PHYS 103A 001
Instructor: Ying Wang
Introduction:
- In this experiment, our primary goal was to understand the formation and characteristics
of wave transfers and standing waves. We also had to measure the wavelength of the
transverse standing waves in a string in relation to the tension applied to the string using a
string vibrator and a force sensor connected to the computer to log our data.
- We used a few formulas such as
● 𝑣 = 𝛌𝑓
𝛌
● 𝐿 = 𝑛( 2 )
● 𝑣=
𝐹
μ
Experimental Procedure:
- One of the independent variables in this situation had to be the string and the string
vibrator as well since these things are not changing, and the only thing that is changing
has to be the tension on the string which will change the number of nodes and how much
force is required to see a specific amount of nodes.
(picture of Complete Setup)
-
Results:
- (Picture of Data Table)
Discussion & Questions:
- In step 9 as ‘n’ get larger the tension in the string will be decreasing because when there
is less tension it will allow for there to be more nodes. When conducting the experiment
we were able to play around with the tension to try and obtain whatever the amount of
desired nodes was.
- In order to improve the experiment to have fewer errors I would make it so that the pulley
system would be more secure so that we could get a better reading on the force sensor.
- Adjusting the force sensor and the wheel to be more stable would allow our
measurements to be more accurate.
- We conducted this analysis by seeing if we could get the desired amount of nodes and
tracking the amount of force required to reach it.
- Our results met our objectives because when we were able to fill out the table and find
the wavelength
Conclusion:
- From this experiment, we were able to determine the wavelength of the transverse
standing wave of the string and find the tension as well. We were able to gain a better
understanding of the formation of the characteristics.
Raw Data: