Question

A 1.2 m guitar string is under a tension of 888 N. The waves produced on the string (when plucked) travel with a speed of 444 m/s. What is the mass of this string?

Answer 1

We know that wave speed of a transverse wave on a string is given by:

V = sqrt (T/)

T = Tension in string = 888 N

= linear mass density = mass per unit length

= m/L

L = length of string = 1.2 m

V = wave speed = 444 m/s

So,

= T/V^2 = m/L

m = T*L/V^2

m = 888*1.2/444^2 = 5.40*10^-3 kg

m = mass of string = 5.40 gm

Let me know if you've any query.