1. Write a definition of the term standing wave. 2. In the experiment, the standing waves on the string will have nodes at the pulley and the mechanical oscillator. Draw at least three possible standing wave patterns on the string. In each drawing, label the nodes, antinodes, and wavelength. 3. Write down an equation that relates wavelength and frequency for standing waves. 4. Review what you have learned about the speed of travelling waves in Experiments #39 and #40 and from class and the textbook. What factors determine how fast a wave travels? 5. After you have experimentally determined the speed of waves on the string, it will be good to compare to an expected value for the speed. Write down an equation that gives a theoretical value for the speed of waves on the string in terms of the mass of object A.

In this experiment, you will use a mechanical oscillator to make standing waves on a string. The string is connected to the oscillating shaft of the mechanical oscillator, passed over a pulley, and put under tension by a hanging object A. The frequency of the mechanical oscillator can be varied using a function generator. You will find frequencies for the mechanical oscillator that make standing waves in the string between the mechanical oscillator and the pulley. The frequencies and wavelengths of the standing waves will be used to calculate the speed of the waves on the string. Mechanical Oscillator Object A Figure 1: Experimental setup