Question

To modify the pitch of a guitar string, you could change its mass, tension, or length. To raise its pitch, how should you change each of these three characteristics?

a) Increase mass, increase tension, decrease length
b) Increase mass, decrease tension, increase length
c) Decrease mass, increase tension, decrease length
d) Decrease mass, decrease tension, increase length

Answer 1

To raise the pitch of a guitar string, you should decrease the mass, increase the tension, and decrease the length of the string. Adjusting the tuning pegs alters the tension, thereby affecting the pitch through changes in the speed of the waves in the string.

Step-by-step explanation:

To raise the pitch of a guitar string, you need to make adjustments that will increase the frequency of the sound waves produced by the string. According to the principles of wave behavior in strings, this can be achieved by doing the following:

1. Decreasing the mass (linear mass density) of the string, which allows it to vibrate faster.
2. Increasing the tension in the string, which also speeds up the vibrations.
3. Decreasing the length of the string, which raises the natural frequency at which it vibrates.

Therefore, the correct answer to raise the pitch would be: (c) Decrease mass, increase tension, decrease length.

As for the method to change the tension of the strings, you need to adjust the tuning pegs. Higher tension results in higher pitch, as the speed of the waves in the string increases, leading to a higher frequency of the sound produced. The fundamentals of wave behavior demonstrate that pitch is directly related to wave speed, tension, and linear mass density.