Class 11 Physics simulations · Waves

Sonometer: frequency and length

Press a vibrating tuning fork on the sonometer box and move the bridge until the paper rider on the wire flies off.

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What to notice

At resonance the wire between the bridges vibrates strongly and throws off the paper rider.

Key relation

f = (1/2l) √(T/μ) ⇒ f × l = constant at fixed tension

Try this

Find the resonant length for two different forks. Is f × l the same?

What you can change

• Tuning fork: choose 256 Hz, 288 Hz, 320 Hz, 341.3 Hz, 384 Hz, 426.7 Hz, 480 Hz, 512 Hz
• Vibrating length l: 10 to 100 cm
• Load on hanger: 1 to 8 kg
• Wire: choose Steel, 28 SWG (μ = 0.87 g/m), Steel, 26 SWG (μ = 1.36 g/m), Brass, 30 SWG (μ = 0.64 g/m)

More in Waves

• Beats: two notes, one pulsing sound
• Doppler effect
• Open and closed organ pipes
• Pulse reflection at a boundary
• Resonance tube: speed of sound
• Ripple tank: two-source interference
• Standing waves on a string
• Wave speed on a stretched rope
• Superposition of two waves
• Travelling wave

See all Class 11 Physics simulations or every Physica simulation.