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The standing wave pattern along a string of length 60 cm is shown in the below diagram. If the speed of the transverse waves on this string is 300 m/ s. in which one of the following modes in the string vibrating?
Explanation
In a standing wave on a string fixed at both ends, the length of the string (L) is related to the wavelength (λ) by the formula L = n(λ/2), where 'n' represents the harmonic number [t1][t7]. The fundamental mode (n=1) consists of one loop, the second harmonic (n=2) or first overtone consists of two loops, and the third harmonic (n=3) or second overtone consists of three loops [t7][t8]. Although the diagram is not visually provided in the text, standard physics problems for a 60 cm string vibrating in the second overtone (third harmonic) imply three loops, where each loop is L/3 = 20 cm. Since the nth harmonic has n antinodes and n-1 nodes between the ends [t8], the second overtone corresponds to the third harmonic (n=3). This mode is characterized by three vibrating segments or loops [t7].
Sources
- [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/mathematics/standing-wave