Question

A stretched string is 1.95 m long and has a mass of 19.1 g. When the string oscillates at 440 Hz, which is the frequency of the standard A pitch, transverse waves with a wavelength of 16.7 cm travel along the string. Calculate the tension T in the string.
T= ________ N

Answer 1

Answer:

The tension in the string is 52.89 N.

Explanation:

Given;

mass of the string, m = 19.1 g = 0.0191 kg

length of the string, L = 1.95 m

⇒mass per unit length, μ = 0.0191 / 1.95 = 0.009795 kg/m

Also Given;

frequency of the string, F = 440 Hz

wavelength of the sound wave, λ = 16.7 cm = 0.167 m

⇒the speed of the wave, v = Fλ = 440 x 0.167 = 73.48 m/s

The tension T in the string is calculated as;

$v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu} } \\\\v^2 = \frac{T}{\mu}\\\\T = v^2 \mu\\\\T = (73.48)^2 (0.009795)\\\\T = 52.89 \ N$

Therefore, the tension in the string is 52.89 N.