16.3 Wave Speed on a Stretched String

What determines the speed of a wave on a string?

The tension in the string and its linear density (mass per length).

Units of linear density?

kg/m.

What happens if tension increases?

Wave speed increases.

What happens if linear density increases?

Wave speed decreases.

Why do thicker guitar strings sound lower?

They have higher linear density → slower wave speed → lower frequency.

Do particles move along the string direction?

No, they move perpendicular (transverse motion).

What provides the restoring force?

The tension in the string.

General form of wave speed in any medium?

v = \text{inertial property} / \text{elastic property}.

What is ρ (rho)?

Density (mass per volume).