STEM Smart Physics

Task 8: String 

Topic

The pupils build a string and change its length and tension. While doing so. they observe the phenomenon of changes in frequency. 

In task 3 the harmonic components can be also made visible in the waterfall diagram or frequency analysis. 

Task 4 is for advanced pupils. Here the equation for natural oscillation should be used first in order to calculate the propagation velocity on the basis of the basic frequency and then use the calculated values to determine the frequencies for the harmonic components. 

 

 

Learning objectives

The pupils 

  • can explain the correlation between string tension and (oscillation) frequency.   
  • can explain the correlation between string length and (oscillation) frequency.  
  • can describe harmonic components.   
  • can calculate the frequencies of the harmonic components and use the equation for natural oscillation for this.   

Time required 

About 15 minutes are needed to build the string.

5 to 10 minutes each are required for the individual observations (tasks). Depending on how much fun the pupils are having, it can take somewhat longer. 

 

Didactic accompanying material

sc10-cd-2