Standing wave on a string
Standing wave on a string is an interactive experiment in Oscillations & Waves, a free simulation from StudyFi Lab that runs right in your browser.
A string of length L fixed at both ends can only vibrate so that a whole number of half-wavelengths fits on it: λₙ = 2L/n. Hence fₙ = n·v/(2L), where v is the wave speed on the string. The nodes (points at rest) lie at x = kL/n, with the antinodes of largest amplitude between them.
Try this: Switch from the 1st to the 2nd and 3rd harmonic — how many times higher is the frequency, and how many nodes are there?
Frequently asked questions
What does the “Standing wave on a string” experiment show?
A string of length L fixed at both ends can only vibrate so that a whole number of half-wavelengths fits on it: λₙ = 2L/n. Hence fₙ = n·v/(2L), where v is the wave speed on the string. The nodes (points at rest) lie at x = kL/n, with the antinodes of largest amplitude between them.
How do I try “Standing wave on a string”?
Switch from the 1st to the 2nd and 3rd harmonic — how many times higher is the frequency, and how many nodes are there?
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