Introduction:

Strings have always been something that have piqued my interests. The first
time I was ever interested in strings was with my piano. People whenever they
think of a piano, they think of keys but in reality, the sound is created with the
help of a device hitting a string. This always caught my eye, since unlike
electrical keyboards, pianos are completely analog and use strings. The most
annoying phase all pianists must go through is to control their strength when
they press a key. When you press too heavily the key itself won’t make a loud
noise, whereas if you press it lightly the sound is more audible. This weird
phenomenon made me think to guitars, where applying different amount of
forces to the same string create a small change in the sound.

This led to the creation of my experiment where the independent variable would
be the mass or force applied on the string and the dependant variable would be
the change in the frequency. Leading to the research question “What is the
relationship between force that is applied and the change in frequency that
occurs due to it”

Background knowledge:
Strings have plenty of properties where if a person were to analyse and
experiment with a string, they would run out of the life force before they could
completely note down all the properties of a string. When taking my experiment
into consideration, there are many variables that we need to first analyse
beforehand. The first being the initial length (L) of the string without any
interference from outside variables. The calculation of a standing wave on a
string requires the formula of:
v wave on string
f i=
2L

The velocity of a wave can be calculated when given the tension and linear
density
T
v=
√ μi

Therefore, the final equation for fundamental frequency for a string would be:
 T
μ
f i= i
2L
√
Where T is the tension of the string and µ is the linear density.

The original tension and linear density can easily be calculated with the help of
the equations:
mass of string(m)
μi =
leng ht of entire string (L)
μ x =μi × cos θ

Due to the force being applied on the string exactly at the centre of it, the
tension of the string increases. There are 2 forces that are generated in 2
different directions, F1 and F2, however the magnitude of these 2 forces are the
same, only the directions are different.
Left hand side of diagram:
With the help of this diagram, we can come to the conclusion that the third
angle (θc) would be 90 – θ. For the parallelogram method to work, we require
the top angle, which would be corresponding to the double of θc:

To calculate the relationship between F and W (weight), we require the use of

We can then rearrange the formula for F:

Where F is tension + extension force.

Using all these previous formulas, we can simplify the equation to find a
relation between the mass and final fundamental frequency (fx):
 1 T + Fe
f x=
2 Lx
×
√ μx

When we implement the new variables:

W2
f x=
1
2 L× sec θ
×
√ √ 2 ( 1−cos 2 θ )
μ i × cos θ

Hypothesis

While there are plenty of variables present in the main equation, an increase in
mass, should theoretically increase the frequency of the string as it is clearly
proportional in nature.

Variables

Independent Variables:
Strings of a potentiometer were too thin and made too small of a change in
angle, to be measured with the help of a protractor. Therefore, in order to get an
equally accurate measurement, different masses were used to change the angle.
This change in angle can be calculated with the help of the dependent variables
Dependent Variable:
There are 2 dependent variables that will be measured in the experiment. The
first variable is the frequency that is measured with the help of an external
microphone. This external microphone is connected to the mobile

The second variable is the new height of the string that is deflected due to the
mass hanging at the center of the string. This deflection (h) is the difference in
height between the original position and the new position. In order to measure
this height, a ruler was placed beside the string and the reading was recorded at
eye level, in order to get an accurate reading. The sec
Controlled Variable Explanation for why it needs to
be controlled
Tension Tension of the string is same since the
string used for each experiment is the
same
Gravity Gravity acceleration occurring, due to
the bending of the string being
vertical, must be the same in all
experiments
Length The length of the string in the
potentiometer is the same, since a
change in the length will change the
bending angle
Mass Mass per unit length of the string is
controlled in all experiments since
this factor can affect the bending
angle
Position of hook The position of the hook in all
experiments are the same, which is at
the exact middle of the string length
Height from ground The potentiometer is placed on 2
tables and is lifted at a fixed height
away from the ground.
Thickness Strings of different diameters and
thickness affect the frequency
produced when plucked, therefore the
thickness has been kept the same.

Materials & Apparatus Components & Properties

Ruler 15 cm ruler
 Mass (hook) 100 g hook, with additional 5 discs
(each 100 g)

Table For support

Application Frequency counter & audacity

Microphone Mobile microphone & Computer

String Diameter: 0.47 mm

Procedure

The potentiometer is laid upside down on two tables. The mass hook is attached to the
thinnest string of the potentiometer exactly in the middle.. The experiment proceeds as
follows:

1. Attach the hook to the spring, constantly measuring the displacement of the
string
2. When we finally calculate the displacement of the spring, mark the height on
the cardboard.
3. Pluck the string lightly at that displacement, and measure the frequency using
a the phone and computer app with the help of a microphone
4. Note down the frequency measured
5. Wait until the string stops vibrating
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for all different masses and measure the displacement.
7. Also repeat step 6, 3 times for better accuracy

Risks:
There are no significant risks in this experiment. Caution has to be paid when
increasing the force acting on the string, because it may snap and hit somebody. The
potentiometer has to be firmly supported not to fall and cause damage to the floor or
get damaged itself. This is a very safe experiment, without any environmental or
ethical issues in methodology.
 Mass Frequency ( hz) Mean
h (cm) L (cm)
(g) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 frequency

100 0.5 159.3 159.4 159.8 159.5

165.8
500 2 166.2 166.5 166.16666666
Problem with the experiment values ☹

????
Conclusion:

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the relation between the force with
which a string is bent and the change in its frequency. The equation relating those two
values has been linearized and presented in the paper. The obtained results fully
support the hypothesis. There is a proportional relationship between the mass and the
final frequency - and the gradient obtained is within the calculated error margin from
the standard value reported online