Figure 4 shows the apparatus used to investigate the waves in a stretched string - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1

The equation that links these quantities is:

$\text{wave speed} = \text{frequency} \times \text{wavelength}$

or more succinctly,

$v = f \lambda$

To find the wave speed, we can use the equation:

$v = f \lambda$

Where:

• Frequency, $f = 55 \text{ Hz}$
• Wavelength, $\lambda = 80 \text{ cm} = 0.8 \text{ m}$

Thus, substituting these values:

$v = 55 \times 0.8 = 44 \text{ m/s}$

To observe one complete wave while maintaining frequency, the wooden bridge can be moved to the right, or additional mass/weights can be added to the string to adjust the tension.

1. Set up the apparatus with a consistent frequency using the signal generator.
2. Vary the tension in the string by adding or removing weights.
3. Measure the speed of the wave each time the tension is altered, using the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength.
4. Record the data and analyze how wave speed changes with different tensions.