PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS
PHY-2306: Physics Paper-IV
[Link]. (Hons) in Maritime Science, Semester- III
Bangladesh Naval Academy
EXPERIMENT NAME: VERIFICATION OF THE LAWS OF TRANSVERSE VIBRATION
OF A STRETCHED STRING BY A SONOMETER.
THEORY: The frequency n of a vibrating string is given by
1 𝑡
𝑛= 2𝑙
. 𝑚
— —(1)
where l is the length of the string,
t is the tension in dynes used to stretch the string,
and m is the mass per unit length of the string in grams.
From this relation — (1), we can obtain the laws of transverse vibration of a string which are;
1. If the tension applied to the string and the mass per unit length of the string is kept
constant, then the frequency (n) of a tuning fork is inversely proportional to the length (l)
of the vibrating segment, i.e,
1
𝑛∞ 𝑙
𝑜𝑟, 𝑛𝑙 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
2. If the vibrating length (l) and the mass per unit length of the string (m) are kept constant,
then the frequency is directly proportional to the square root of the tension applied, i.e,
𝑛∞ 𝑡
This means that for a constant frequency fork, the square root of the tension applied should be
inversely proportional to the length of the vibrating segment i.e,
1 2
𝑡∞ 𝑙
𝑜𝑟, 𝑡𝑙 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡.
3. If the length (l) of the vibrating segment and the tension applied (t) are kept constant,
then the frequency (n) is inversely proportional to the square root of the mass per unit
length of the string. i.e,
1
𝑛∞
𝑚
This means that for a constant frequency fork, the square root of the mass per unit length of the
string is directly proportional to the length of the vibrating segment, i.e,
𝑚
𝑚 ∞ 𝑙 𝑜𝑟, 2 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡.
𝑙
APPARATUS: Sonometer, Two wooden bridges, Set of different weights, Weights hook,
Tuning forks of different frequencies, etc.
PROCEDURE:
Verification of the First Law:
STEP -1. Several tuning forks of frequencies 𝑛1, 𝑛2, 𝑛3 etc are taken. The sonometer
wire is stretched by placing a load on the hanger attached to it.
STEP -2. -Let, one of the tuning forks of frequency, say 𝑛1 be set to vibration and
placed on the sonometer board. Now the vibrating length in the wire is adjusted with
the movable bridges so that it is in unison with the fork.
STEP -3 - A small piece of paper is then placed on the wire near the middle of the
bridges. By slight adjustment of the bridges, the rider is found to fall. Now measure
the length of the wire between the bridges. Let the length be𝑙1.
STEP -4 - Another tuning fork of frequency, say 𝑛2 is then set to vibration, and then
Step -3 is repeated. Let the length be 𝑙2. Similarly 𝑙3 and 𝑙4 etc. are lengths
corresponding to the frequencies 𝑛3 and 𝑛4 etc. It is found that
𝑛1𝑙1 = 𝑛2𝑙2,𝑛3𝑙3 = 𝑛4𝑙4, ….
i.e. 𝑛𝑙 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 which verifies the law of length.
Now draw a graph with n along the X – X-axis and l along the Y – Y-axis. The graph (𝑛 − 𝑙)
curves should be a rectangular hyperbola.
Verification of the Second Law:
STEP -1. As before the main wire of the sonometer is stretched by a tension 𝑡1,
choose a suitable tuning fork of frequency 𝑛1.
STEP -2. Then the set to vibration and the length 𝑙1is adjusted so as to be in unison
with the chosen fork. This length is measured when the paper rider between the
bridges falls.
STEP -3. The tension is increased 𝑡2 and set to vibration and a length 𝑙2 is adjusted to
be in unison with chosen frok.
STEP -4. Again the tension is increased 𝑡3 and set to vibration and a length 𝑙3is
adjusted to be in unison with chosen frok.
Then Plota graph of t against l2. This should yield a straight line which proves that the frequency
is proportional to the square root of the tension.
EXPERIMENTAL DATA:
1
(a) For First Law, 𝑛 ∞ 𝑙
Stretching weight of the wire, M = 1000 gm.
Table 1: To verify the first law for a stretched string.
No of Frequency (n) Resonating Mean resonating nl= constant
Observations Hz length (l) length (l)
cm. cm
1
(b) 𝑡∞ 𝑙
Frequency of the chosen fork = ------------- vibrations/sec.
Table 2: To verify the second law of the stretched string
No of Tension ResonatingLe Mean 2
𝑙 in cm2
2
𝑡𝑙 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
Observation Applied (t) ngth (l) resonating
Dyne Length (l)
cm cm
CALCULATION:
RESULTS: Theoretically calculated values and experimental values are approximately or nearly
equal. So, the laws of transverse vibration of stretched strings are verified.
DISCUSSIONS AND PRECAUTIONS:
1. The wire should be stretched horizontally i.e. B1, B2 and the pulley must all lie in
one plane.
2. Pluck the wire by drawing a resined bow across it or by giving it a blow with a
padded hammer. Do not use fingernails, otherwise, overtones may occur. Pluck it
in such a way that the intensity of the sound emitted by the fork and the string
should be in the same order.
3. The tuning fork should never be struck on a surface. It should be set into vibration
each time by a single stroke and not by successive strokes.
4. The fork should always be put into resonance with the shortest possible length of
the string. This makes sure that the resonance has occurred between the fork and
the fundamental tone of the string.
ORAL QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS:
1. What is the use of the wooden board below the wire?
Ans. When the string is set into vibration, its vibration is communicated to the board through the
bridges, and the board is thrown into forced vibration.
2. Why is it made hollow?
Ans. If the board is made hollow, the large volume of air inside it is set into vibration. As a result
the sound is intensified.
3. Will it do if the box is constructed of steel?
Ans. Steel box will not do because greater energy is required to set it into vibration.
4. What is the distinction between a tone and a note?
Ans. Tone is a single frequency, not is combination of tones.
6. Is the test of resonance by the rider method a sure test?
Ans. No, it is not very accurate, since forced vibration may throw the rider off the string.
Determination by the method of beats is the most accurate.
7. What is a sonometer?
Ans: A sonometer is an apparatus used to study the vibrations of a stretched string. It consists of
a hollow resonator box with a string stretched over it, and a tuning fork is used to produce sound
waves of known frequency for resonance. The length and tension of the string can be varied to
observe the effects on the frequency of vibration.
