Experiment 7

SPEED OF MECHANICAL WAVES

Miguel, Angela Grace M.

Natanauan, Neil Calvin L.

Sierra, Cheska Francine D.

Talamayan, Aliyah Hailie C.

Toledo, Tiara Francine V.

BSP 1-2

Group 7

MS. LUZETTE ORAA, LPT

April 20, 2023

Criteria Excellent Very Satisfactory Developing
Satisfactory

Neatness and Organization 6 4 3 2

Cover Page 4 3 2 1

Abstract 12 9 6 3

Introduction 8 6 4 2

Procedure 8 6 4 2

Data and Results 4 3 2 1

Interpretation of Data and Results 16 12 8 4

Conclusion 8 6 4 2

References 4 3 2 1

TOTAL
_______ / 70

ABSTRACT
 The speed of mechanical waves is determined by the characteristics of the medium through which

the wave is traveling. Mechanical waves can propagate through solids, liquids, and gases that possess

elasticity and inertia. The speed of mechanical waves can be calculated by multiplying the frequency of

the wave by its wavelength. Generally, mechanical waves travel faster through solids than in liquids or

gases, due to stronger interatomic forces between particles. In this experiment, we discovered how other

factors such as temperature, pressure, and the composition of the medium and tension influence the

wavelength and frequency of the wave in this experiment. Additionally, We have also determined the

relationship among wave speed, wavelength, and period of vibration. The experiment was carried out with

various apparatus in order to obtain accurate values that would lead the researchers into determining the

speed of the wave and determining the wavelength and speed of sound waves, and these are the String

generator which is connected to the Sine generator, Xplorer GLX which is connected to the force sensor

and will give you data for your tension, Resonance tube which helps to determine the wavelength and the

speaker. These instruments were critical to the experimental setup. Furthermore, this experiment

accomplished its purpose of identifying the wave's speed and wavelength. This paper will go into further

detail and provide additional information.

INTRODUCTION
 Waves come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While all waves have some basic qualities and

behaviors in common, some waves can be identified from others based on observable (and some non-

observable) traits. These differentiating traits are commonly used to classify waves. A mechanical wave is a

disruption in matter that allows energy to pass through it. When matter is disrupted, a mechanical wave

occurs. To perturb matter and initiate a mechanical wave, an energy source is required. A mechanical

wave's energy can only travel through matter. The medium is the stuff through which the wave travels (CK-

12 Foundation, 2019). Mechanical waves are waves that propagate across a material medium (solid, liquid,

or gas) with a wave speed determined by the medium's elastic and inertial properties. Mechanical waves

have two fundamental forms of wave motion: longitudinal waves and transverse waves.

The first part of this experiment is the transverse wave motion which occurs when all points on a

wave oscillate along pathways that are perpendicular to the wave's advance direction. This experiment shall

be conducted through the use of a string with the frequency determined through the provided accurate

values from the sine wave generator. A sine or cosine curve can be used to depict a simple transverse wave

because the amplitude of any point on the curve—that is, its distance from the axis—is proportional to the

sine (or cosine) of an angle. The graphic depicts sine curves of varying amplitudes. These curves depict

how a standing transverse wave can appear at successive (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) time intervals. The period of

the wave motion is the time it takes for a point on the wave to complete an oscillation through the axis, and

the frequency is the number of oscillations executed each second. Wavelength is defined as the distance

between matching places on the wave—that is, the distance between two neighboring wave peaks or

troughs. Transverse waves can also be complicated, with their curves made up of two or more sine or

cosine curves (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2022).

Sound waves in air (or any fluid medium) are longitudinal waves because the particles of the

medium into which the sound travels vibrate in the same direction as the sound wave. Specifically, the

second part of this experiment is the vibrations of the particles in a sound wave flowing through air are best

described as longitudinal. Longitudinal waves are waves in which the motion of the medium's constituent
particles is parallel to the direction of energy transit. A longitudinal wave can be formed in a slinky by

stretching it out horizontally and vibrating the first coils of the slinky horizontally. In such a circumstance,

each individual coil of the medium is vibrated in directions parallel to the direction of energy transportation

(Physics Classroom, n.d.).

In order to obtain the wave velocity for both the two types of mechanical waves, the formula used

was:

v= 𝞴f

Where,

v = wave velocity

𝞴 = Wavelength

f = frequency

This experiment aims to answer different sets of objectives, one of which is to examine how the

wavelength and frequency of the wave effect the tension necessary to generate a standing wave in an

oscillating string of constant length and mass density. Hence, the second objective is to determine the

wave's speed and length. The last objective is to confirm the link between wave speed, wavelength, and

vibration period. Further details, information, results, interpretation, and conclusion with evidence of

substantial experimental values will be discussed throughout this paper.

SCHEMATIC PROCEDURE

Part I. Speed of Transverse waves

A. Preliminaries

Using the top loading balance, weigh the

 Set-up the appropriate materials for
testing

B. Determining the Speed of the Wave

Attach the String Vibrator to the Sine
Wave Generator by using two banana Repeat steps 7 to 11 for each required
cables on the Inputs of the String number of segments
Vibrator

Fix the position of the string vibrator by

Record the obtained data
clamping it firmly to the table

Connect the String Vibrator to its Calculate the theoretical wave velocity
vibrating blade and to the Force using the formula: vtheo = ⎷FL / m
sensor’s hook

Measure the length of the string (L) Calculate the experimental wave
between the force sensor hook and the velocity using the formula: vexp = λf
knot attached to the String Vibrator
blade

Record the force shown in the Xplorer

Set-up the Xplorer GLX and attach to GLX
the Force Sensor

Turn on the Sine Wave Generator. Use the formula: λ = 2L / n to calculate

Resulting amplitude may vary during the the wavelength
experiment.

Choose the appropriate frequency (f)

Turn on the String Vibrator which causes the string to vibrate at the
right number of segments.

Part II. Speed of Longitudinal waves

A. Preliminaries

Set-up the equipment appropriately

 Install the plug at the end of the tube

Position the speaker at a 45-degree to

the tube several centimeters away from
the tube’s end

Replace/remove the plug by pushing

the inner tube

B. Determining the Wavelength and Speed of Sound Waves

Set up the apparatus as either a Repeat steps 3-7 with a different

closed tube or an open tube frequency

Determine the inner diameter of the

Calculate for the percentage error
Resonance tube (d)

Calculate the experimental speed of

Position the Xplorer GLX at the
sound of the room using the
other end of the Resonance tube
formula: v = 331.45 + 0.61 (TºC)

Calculate the experimental speed of

Drive the speaker with a constant
sound of the room using the
frequency
formula: v = λf

Calculate the wavelength of the

Determine the air column length (L)
soundwave using the formula: λ = 4
producing the loudest sound.
(L + 0.25 d)

DATA AND RESULTS

Part I. Speed of Transverse Waves

No. of Frequency Wavelength Length Force Wave Velocity, v Percent

Segments f λ L F Experimental Theoretical Error

1 9.4 Hz 3.52 1.76 m 1.96 N 33.09 m/s 34.79 m/s 4.88 %

2 13.3 Hz 1.76 1.76 m 0.98 N 23.41 m/s 24.60 m/s 4.83 %

3 14.5 Hz 1.27 1.76 m 0.49 N 16.97 m/s 17.40 m/s 2.47 %

Mass of String: 2.85 x 10-3 kg

Sample Computations: Segment 2

Wavelength

λ = 2L / n

= 2(1.76) / 2

λ = 1.76

Force = mg

= (0.1 kg) (9.8 m/s2)

Force = 0.98 N

Theoretical wave velocity

vtheo = ⎷FL / m

= ⎷(0.98)(1.76) / 0.00285

vtheo = 24.60 m/s

Experimental Wave Velocity

vexp = λf

= (1.76) (13.3)

vexp = 23.41 m/s

Percentage Error = |Theoretical Value - Experimental Value | X 100%

 Theoretical Value

Percentage Error = 24.60 m/s - 23.408 m/s X 100%

24.60 m/s

Percentage Error = 4.83%

Part II. Speed of Longitudinal Waves

Frequency Diameter Length Wavelength Room Experimental Calculated Percent

of the of the of Sound Temperature Speed of Speed of Error
Tube Air λ (ȼm) T(ºC) sound Sound
d (m) Column v (m/s) v (m/s)
L (m)

200 Hz 0.15 m 0.42 m 1.83 23 ºC 366 m/s 345.48 m/s 5.94%

210 Hz 0.15 m 0.31 m 1.39 23 ºC 347.5 m/s 345.48 m/s 0.58%

Sample Computations:

Frequency: 250 Hz

Wavelength:

λ = 4 (L + 0.25 d)

= 4 [0.31 + (0.25 x 0.15)]

= 1.39

Theoretical Speed of Sound:

v = 331.45 + 0.61 (TºC)

= 331.45 + 0.61 (23 ºC)

= 348.48 m/s

Experimental Speed of Sound

v = λf

= (1.39)(250 Hz)

= 347.5 m/s
 Percentage Error = | Theoretical Value - Experimental Value | X 100%
Theoretical Value

Percentage Error = 345.48 m/s - 347.8 m/s X 100%

345.84 m/s

= 0.58 %

INTERPRETATION OF DATA AND RESULTS

Table 1 contains the data collected from the experiment that determines the speed of transverse

waves. A transverse wave is a moving wave made up of oscillations that happen perpendicular (or right-

angled) to the direction of energy transfer. During the conduct of the experiment, it should be noted that the

group decided to change the hanging mass in a decreasing manner, thus resulting in a decreasing tension.

When observed from the collected data, segment 1, which has the lowest frequency, got the highest

wavelength value. Followed by two segments having the second lowest frequency and highest wavelength,

and finally the third segment having the highest frequency but the lowest wavelength. These can be

regarded as a frequency change impacting the wavelength in an inverse manner. A frequency doubling

results in a wavelength halving, making them inversely proportional to each other. This explains why

extending a wave's wavelength has no effect on its speed. This is due to the fact that, as wavelength

increases, wave frequency decreases. As a result, the product of wavelength and wave frequency remains

constant.

Furthermore, table 2 contains the gathered data from the experiment to determine the speed of

longitudinal waves. Sound waves are longitudinal waves. These waves include compressions and

rarefactions as they move through any given medium. The first frequency from the table is lower than the

second, but it has a higher value for the length of the air column, portraying an inversely proportional

relationship. The shorter the length of the air column, the higher the frequency. Moreover, the higher the
 frequency at which the waves oscillate, the higher the pitch of the sound heard during the laboratory

experiment. Likewise, the length of the air column is inversely proportional to the speed of sound, as the

longer the air column, the longer it takes for the sound to travel the complete length of the column, and

therefore the slower its speed. Finally, the inverse proportion relationship of the frequency and wavelength

is also observed in this part of the activity.

CONCLUSION

The concept of mechanical wave speed is employed in this experiment to determine the speed and

wavelength of the wave. A wave speed is a distance traveled by a wave in a particular amount of time, such

as the number of meters per second. It is connected to both the wavelength and the frequency of the wave.

The distance between two matching spots on adjacent waves is defined as the wavelength. The number of

waves that pass through a specific spot in a given amount of time is referred to as wave frequency. As

demonstrated in the data above, the product of wavelength and wave frequency remains constant. When

the frequency doubles, the wavelength halves, making them inversely proportional. This is why increasing

the wavelength of a wave has no influence on its speed. This is owing to the fact that as wavelength grows,

wave frequency lowers. Hence, frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional to each other. The

length of the air column, on the other hand, is inversely proportional to the speed of sound in the longitudinal

wave, since the longer the air column, the longer it takes for the sound to travel the entire length of the

column, and hence the slower its speed.

Furthermore, raising the tension on a stretched string can increase the frequency of the standing

waves that form on the thread, which can impact the number of segments or nodes on the string, as the

velocity of the waves down the string increases with stress. To be more specific, the velocity is proportional

to the square root of the tension, therefore increasing the tension fourfold doubles the velocity. Hooke's Law

can be applied to the concept of the speed of a mechanical wave on a string, and because this motion
repeats itself again and over, which is called "periodic motion." The movement of a plucked string under

tension shows that it will accelerate under a restoring force towards its equilibrium position until it passes the

equilibrium position, at which point the restorative force will act to slow the string down to a stop on the

opposite side of the equilibrium position. At this moment, the string accelerates back under a lessened

restoring force, repeating the process several times before passing through enough frictional forces to

dissipate the energy imparted to the string by the original plucking.

Temperature can also alter the speed of a mechanical wave because as the temperature rises, so

does the kinetic wave energy and vibration of the molecules through which the sound travels. As a result,

sound waves can travel faster. The faster matter particles move, implying that they are warmer, the faster

the wave will go through them. Moreover, humidity also has an impact by making air less dense, low

humidity helps sound waves move faster. The density of the medium affects mechanical waves by

influencing the speed at which the wave travels. The greater a medium's density, the faster the wave will

travel.

REFERENCES

Berg, T. (n.d.). Chapter 14: Mechanical Waves. Pressbooks.

https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/foundationsofphysics/chapter/chapter-14-mechanical-waves/
CK-12 Foundation. (n.d.). CK-12 Foundation.
https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-physics-flexbook-2.0/section/11.4/primary/lesson/wave-
speed-ms-ps/

CK-12 Foundation. (n.d.-b). CK-12 Foundation. https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-

physical-science-flexbook-2.0/section/16.1/primary/lesson/mechanical-wave-ms-ps/

How Does Temperature Affect the Speed of Sound? (n.d.). Wonderopolis.

https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-does-temperature-affect-the-speed-of-sound

Physics Tutorial: Longitudinal Sound Wave. (n.d.). https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-

1/Sound-as-a-Longitudinal-Wave

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Transverse wave | Definition, Characteristics,
Examples, Diagram, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/transverse-wave

The Wave Equation. (n.d.). The Physics Classroom. https://www.google.com.ph/url?

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