Set up for Resonance of Strings
electromagnetic pickup, Flexcam video camera

 

Code Number: 3B70.30

Demo Title: Resonance of Strings

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Resonance of strings

Area of Study: Oscillations & Acoustics

Equipment: 

Sonometer, electromagnetic pickup / driver, Flexcam video camera, amplifier, wave generator, speaker.

Procedure:

Connect the electromagnetic pickup / driver to the outputs of the wave generator.  Use the Pasco wave generators as they will limit the power into the pickup to 10 Watts so as not to burn it out.  Also take the output of the wave generator and run it to the amplifier so that the driving frequency applied to the pickup can also be heard with the speaker.  

Pluck the string on the Sonometer to hear the sound and then adjust the frequency of the wave generator to match.  When you find the right frequency the string will be driven by the pickup to vibrate with a large amplitude.  Use the Flexcam which can focus at very short distances to view the string vibration.  

References:

  • M. Kaan Kasar, "Teaching the Concept of Resonance with the Help of a Classical Guitar", TPT, Vol. 50, # 9, Dec. 2012, p. 558.
3B70.30 - Resonance of Strings