investigation of the variation of fundamental frequency of a stretched string with tension

Question 1

describe, with the aid of a diagram, how the student obtained the data

Answer 1

set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram.
separate the bridges to a a fixed length
turn on the signal generator to set the wire vibrating.
adjust the tension using the tension key until the paper hops off the wire, showing that the wire is vibrating at maximum amplitude at the centre. record the value of the tension from the newton balance and the frequency from the signal generator.

Question 2

how did the student know that resonance occurred/ how did the student know that the string was vibrating at its fundamental frequency?

Answer 2

the wire vibrated with an ode at each end and one antinode in the centre. this was checked by placing a small piece of paper at the centrre of the wire- when the piece of paper hops off the wire, the wire is vibrating with maximum amplitude at the centre.

Question 3

why was the length of the string kept constant during the investigation?

Answer 3

when performing an experiment, only one variable should be adjusted at a time to ensure recorded changes are due to that variable alone..(adjusted- independent variable, changes as a result- dependent variable)

Question 4

ploy a suitable graph on graph paper to show the fundamental frequency and tension for the stretched string

Answer 4

frequency vs the square root of the tension

Question 5

state this relationship and explain how your graph verifies it.

Answer 5

a straight-line graph through the origin shows that the fundamental frequency of a wire is proportional to the square root of the tension

Question 6

use your graph to calculate the mass per unit length of the string

Answer 6

slope=mass per unit length