Resonant Frequency and Harmonics

Flashcards covering the definitions and properties of resonant frequency, harmonics, and standing waves in a string with fixed ends.

What is resonant frequency?

It is the frequency at which a standing wave can exist in a medium.

Can objects have more than one resonant frequency?

Yes, some objects have a single resonant frequency, while others have multiple.

For objects with multiple resonant frequencies, how are these frequencies related to the fundamental frequency (f₀)?

Each frequency is a whole number multiple of the lowest resonant frequency, called the fundamental frequency (f₀).

What type of waves will persist in a medium?

Waves with frequencies equal to the resonant frequencies of the medium will persist.

In a vibrating string with fixed ends, where must nodes occur for a standing wave?

Nodes must occur at the fixed ends of a vibrating string.

What is the fundamental frequency, also known as the first harmonic?

It is the lowest frequency at which a standing wave is produced.

At the fundamental frequency of a string (fixed ends), what is the relationship between the length (L) and the wavelength (λ)?

The distance between the two fixed ends (L) is equal to one half a wavelength (L = ½λ).

How many loops or antinodes are present when a string vibrates at its fundamental frequency?

At the fundamental frequency, the string configuration has only one loop or antinode.