Question

The lowest note on a five-string bass guitar has a frequency of 31 Hz. The vibrating length of string is 89 cm long.

What is the wave speed on this string?

Answer 1

To determine the wave speed on the string, we need to use the wave equation:

Wave Speed = Frequency × Wavelength

Given:

Frequency = 31 Hz

Vibrating length of string = 89 cm = 0.89 m

To find the wavelength, we can use the formula:

Wavelength = 2 × Vibrating Length

Wavelength = 2 × 0.89 m = 1.78 m

Now we can calculate the wave speed:

Wave Speed = Frequency × Wavelength

Wave Speed = 31 Hz × 1.78 m

Wave Speed ≈ 55.18 m/s

Therefore, the wave speed on this string is approximately 55.18 m/s.