Chapter - 15 - Mechanical Waves - R K Parida

Chapter 15
Mechanical Waves
Conceptual Problems In Class Assignment
(To be Discussed in Problems Problems
Topic
Class)
15.7 Standing waves on a string TYU- 15.7 Example- 15.37,

15.8 Normal modes of a string
15.7 15.40
Dr. Rajanikanta Parida

Associate Professor
Department of Physics, ITER,
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University
rajanikantaparida@soa.ac.in
Chapter 15 Mechanical Waves Lecture Note by: Dr. Rajanikanta Parida
15.7 Standing waves on a string:
Waves traveling in opposite directions on a taut string interfere with each other. The resulting wave
is called the standing wave which does not move on the string.
The standing waveform must have nodes at both ends. Destructive interference occurs where the
wave displacements cancel, and constructive interference occurs where the displacements add. At
the nodes no motion occurs, and at the antinodes the amplitude of the motion is greatest.
Analytical treatment:
When two sinusoidal waves coming from opposite directions superimposed upon each other
standing waves are formed.
The waves can be written as:
y1 = A cos (kx – t),
y2 = A cos (kx + t),
The standing wave is the superposition of the above two waves. i.e
y = y1 + (-y2 )
y = A cos (kx – t) - A cos (kx + t)
y = A [2 sin kx sint]
y = [2A sin kx] sint
y = Asw sint
Where, Asw = 2A sin kx = Amplitude of the standing wave
Nodes : Minimum amplitude position of a standing wave are called as nodes
For nodes we must have
Asw = 2A sin kx = minimum
sin kx = minimum => sin kx = 0 = sin n
2π λ
kx = n => x =nπ  x =n  
λ  2
Thus nodes points from the origin are
λ λ λ
x = 0, , 2   , 3   , ........
2 2 2
Antinodes: Maximum amplitude position of a standing wave are called as antinodes
For antinodes we must have
ITER, SOA University Page 2

Asw = 2A sin kx = maximum

sin kx = maximum => sin kx = ± 1 = sin (2n+1)/2
π
 kx =  2n+1
2
2π π λ
 x =  2n+1  x =  2n+1  
λ 2 4
Thus antinodes points from the origin are
λ λ λ
x = , 3   , 5   , ........
4 4 4
Adjacent nodes distance = Adjacent antinodes distance = /2
A standing wave, unlike a traveling wave, does not transfer energy from one end to the other. The
two waves that form it would individually carry equal amounts of power in opposite directions.
There is a local flow of energy from each node to the adjacent antinodes and back, but the average
rate of energy transfer is zero at every point.
15.8 Normal modes of a string

Let’s consider a string of length L, rigidly fixed at both ends.
Particle situated at two ends of the string has east scope for vibration. Therefore we get node
permanently at two ends of the string.
(a) Fundamental mode of vibration
The minimum frequency that can be produced is called the
fundamental frequency or 1 st harmonics.
In fundamental mode of vibration number of nodes are
two and one Antinode between the two nodes.
It is shown in the figure.
From the figure it is clear that
λ
λ1  2L  L  1
2
Frequency is given by
v v
f1  
λ1 2L
(b) Second Harmonics ( 1st Overtone)
Next mode of vibration is that where number of nodes are

three (3) and antinodes are two (2).
2λ1
 L  λ1  L
2

v v  v 
f2    2   2f1
λ2 L  2L 
Here the frequency is called 2nd Harmonics or 1st Overtone.
(c) Third Harmonics ( 2nd Overtone)
Next mode of vibration is that where number of nodes

are four (4) and antinodes are three (3).
3λ 3 2L
 L  λ3 
2 3
v v  v 
f3    3   3f1
λ3 2L/3  2L 
Here the frequency is called 3rd Harmonics or 2nd Overtone.
From the above we can write the general form as below.

• For a taut string fixed at both ends, the possible wavelengths are
2L
λn  , where n = 1, 2, 3, …
n
v  v 
fn  = n  = n f1 where n = 1, 2, 3, …
λn  2L 
Test Your Understanding of Section 15.7
Suppose the frequency of the standing wave in Example 15.6 were doubled from 440 Hz to 880 Hz.
Would all of the nodes for f = 440 Hz also be nodes for f = 880 Hz?. If so, would there be additional
nodes for ƒ = 880 Hz? If not, which nodes are absent for f = 880 Hz?
Answer:
Doubling the frequency makes the wavelength half as large. Hence the spacing between nodes
(equal to λ/2) is also half as large. There are nodes at all of the previous positions, but there is also a
new node between every pair of old nodes.
Example- 15.7: A giant bass viol
In an attempt to get your name in Guinness World Records, you build a bass viol with strings of
length 5.00 m between fixed points. One string, with linear mass density is 40 g/m, is tuned to a
20.0-Hz fundamental frequency (the lowest frequency that the human ear can hear). Calculate (a) the
tension of this string, (b) the frequency and wavelength on the string of the second harmonic, and (c)
the frequency and wavelength on the string of the second overtone.
Solution:
ƒ1 = 20.0 Hz, L = 5.0 m,  = 40.0 g/m
a) The string tension F is given by
2 -1 2
F = 4 μ L2 f12  4  40.0 x 10-3 kg / m   5.0 m   20.0 s   1600 N

b) The frequency and wavelength of the second harmonic (n=2) are

f 2  2 f1  2 (20.0 Hz)  40.0 Hz
2L 2  5.0 m 
λ2    5.0 m
2 2
b) The second overtone is the third harmonics, n=3
Its frequency and wavelength are
f3  3 f1  3 (20.0 Hz)  60.0 Hz
2L 2  5.0 m 
λ3    3.33 m
3 3
Assignment problem: 15.37, 15.40

Exercise-15.37
Standing waves on a wire are described by y(x, t) = (A sinkx)sinωt, with A = 2.5 mm, ω =
942 rad/s and k = 0.75π rad/m. The left end of the wire is at x = 0. At what distances from the
left end are (a) the nodes of the standing wave and (b) the antinodes of the standing wave?
Solution:
A = 2.5 mm, ω = 942 rad/s and k = 0.75π rad/m.
(a) At a node y = 0 for all t. This requires that
sin kx = 0
 kx = nπ , n = 0, 1, 2,…
nπ nπ
 x=   (1.33m) n, n = 0,1,2...
k 0.75 π rad/m
(b) At a antinodes y = maximum for all t. This requires that
sin kx = ± 1
π
 kx =  2n+ 1
2
π  1 π  1
 x =  2n+ 1  n +   (1.33m)  n +  , n = 0,1,2...
2k  2  0.75 π rad/m  2
Exercise-15.40
A 1.5 m long rope is stretched between two supports with a tension that makes the speed of
transverse waves 48 m/s What are the wavelength and frequency of
a) the fundamental;
b) the second overtone;
c) the fourth harmonic?
Solution: L = 1.5 m, v = 48 m/s

a) For a string fixed at both ends, the wavelength of the standing wave is given by
2L
λn =
n
v  v 
and the frequency is given by f n  = n 
λn  2L 

For the fundamental, n =1,

2L v 48 m/s
So, λ1   2(1.5m)  3.0m and f1    16 Hz
1 2L 2(1.5m)
b) For the second overtone, n = 3.
2L
So, λ 3   1.0m and f3  3 x 16 Hz   48 Hz
3
c) For the fourth harmonic, n = 4.
2L
So, λ 4   0.75m and f 4  4 x 16 Hz   64 Hz
4

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Chapter 15

15.7 Standing waves on a string TYU- 15.7 Example- 15.37,

Dr. Rajanikanta Parida

15.7 Standing waves on a string:

ITER, SOA University Page 2

Asw = 2A sin kx = maximum

15.8 Normal modes of a string

Next mode of vibration is that where number of nodes are

ITER, SOA University Page 3

(c) Third Harmonics ( 2nd Overtone)

Next mode of vibration is that where number of nodes

From the above we can write the general form as below.

ITER, SOA University Page 4

b) The frequency and wavelength of the second harmonic (n=2) are

Assignment problem: 15.37, 15.40

Solution: L = 1.5 m, v = 48 m/s

ITER, SOA University Page 5

For the fundamental, n =1,

ITER, SOA University Page 6

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