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Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Vibration of Strings

Transverse standing wave resonances produced along stretched flexible strings fixed at both ends.

Governing formula f_n = (n / 2L) √(T / μ), v = √(T / μ)
SI unit Hz (T in N, μ in kg/m)

In depth

Wave speed v depends on string tension T and linear mass density μ. Increasing tension increases pitch; increasing string thickness lowers pitch.

Examples in the real world

Tightening a guitar tuning peg to increase string tension and raise its musical pitch.