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A Stretched Stri

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17 views3 pages

A Stretched Stri

Uploaded by

Shivani Guvvala
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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A stretched string clamped at both ends exhibits standing waves, which are formed by the

interference of two traveling waves moving in opposite directions. These standing waves
produce modes of vibration, where only certain frequencies and wavelengths are allowed due to
the boundary conditions. This concept is fundamental in musical acoustics, wave mechanics, and
quantum physics.

Formation of Standing Waves in a Stretched String


When a transverse wave is introduced in a string fixed at both ends, it reflects back and
interferes with the incident wave. This interference results in a standing wave, where some
points of the string (nodes) remain stationary, while others (antinodes) oscillate with maximum
amplitude. The mathematical expression for the standing wave is:
y ( x , t )=2 A sin ( k x ) cos ( ω t )
where:
 A is the amplitude.
2π
 k= is the wave number.
λ
 ω=2 π f is the angular frequency.
 λ is the wavelength.

Boundary Conditions
For a string fixed at both ends, the displacement at x=0 and x=L must be zero at all times:
y ( 0 , t )= y ( L , t ) =0
This imposes the condition that the only allowed wavelengths are:
2L
λ n= ,n=1 ,2 , 3 , …
n
where n is the mode number, representing the harmonic index.

Normal Modes of Vibration and Harmonics


The modes of vibration correspond to different values of n , each with a specific frequency and
wavelength.

1. Fundamental Mode (First Harmonic, n=1)


 Simplest standing wave pattern.

 One antinode (maximum displacement) at the center.


 Two nodes (zero displacement) at the fixed ends.

 Wavelength: λ 1=2 L .

 Frequency:
v
f 1=
2L

where v=
√ T
μ
is the wave speed.

2. Second Harmonic (n=2)


 Two antinodes and three nodes.

 Wavelength: λ 2=L.

 Frequency:
f 2=2 f 1

3. Third Harmonic (n=3)


 Three antinodes and four nodes.
2L
 Wavelength: λ 3= .
3
 Frequency:
f 3=3 f 1

This pattern continues for higher harmonics, where each successive mode adds an additional
node and antinode.

Energy Distribution in Standing Waves


In a standing wave, the energy is continuously exchanged between kinetic energy (KE) and
potential energy (PE):
 At nodes, the kinetic energy is maximum and potential energy is zero.
 At antinodes, potential energy is maximum and kinetic energy is zero.
The total energy remains constant, and the energy stored in the wave is given by:
1 2 2
E= μ ω A
2
where μ is the linear mass density of the string.
Practical Applications of String Vibrations
1. Musical Instruments – String instruments like guitars, violins, and pianos use standing
waves to produce distinct musical notes.
2. Seismic Analysis – Vibrations in the Earth's crust follow the same wave mechanics.
3. Optical Resonators – Standing waves in laser cavities determine allowed laser
frequencies.
4. Structural Engineering – Understanding mode shapes prevents resonance-induced
failures in bridges and buildings.
5. Quantum Mechanics – The behavior of electron wavefunctions in atoms follows
similar principles of standing waves.

Conclusion
The modes of vibration in a stretched string are a fundamental example of wave behavior. The
standing waves formed by the boundary conditions result in discrete frequencies known as
harmonics. These principles are extensively applied in musical acoustics, optical physics, and
structural dynamics.

Questions
1. Conceptual Question:
Why do standing waves only form at specific frequencies in a string
clamped at both ends, and how does this relate to resonance?

2. Mathematical Application:
A string of length 1.2 m is stretched under tension T = 50 N with a
linear mass density μ = 0.025 kg/m. Calculate:

o The fundamental frequency.


o The frequency of the third harmonic.

References:
 Hecht, Optics, 5th Edition.

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