Fundamental frequency

[plzNOCarribbean]

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As the harmonic number increases, does the wavelength decrease and the frequency for that harmonic increases?

since wavelength is equal to 2L/n, as we increase the harmonic number and thus the denominator, wavelength should increase right? and frequency should increase, because the frequency for a particular series is just the fundamental frequency X the integer for that series?? Is this right and does it make sense?? I really wanna make sure as I am very weak in this area and have been working on it the past couple of days to solidify my understanding! thanks guys!

 

[MCAT4life]

As the harmonic number increases, does the wavelength decrease and the frequency for that harmonic increases?

since wavelength is equal to 2L/n, as we increase the harmonic number and thus the denominator, wavelength should increase right? and frequency should increase, because the frequency for a particular series is just the fundamental frequency X the integer for that series?? Is this right and does it make sense?? I really wanna make sure as I am very weak in this area and have been working on it the past couple of days to solidify my understanding! thanks guys!



Think of a string with 2 ends connected. Now if you vibrate this string in its 1st harmonic wavelength would be 1/2 (wavelength) Now on the 2nd Harmonic You would have 2 of these 1/2 (wavelength) making a full wave length, 3rd Harmonic you would have 3 (1/2) wavelength and so on... (this is for rope connected to both ends/ pipe open on both ends etc. Draw it out and see if it helps. Now, Since in my SAME length rope, I am getting more and more MULTIPLES of half lambda wavelength, it shows that the frequency is going up. (more up down/up down on the same length string). This is the intuitive easy understanding.

As frequency goes up on each harmonic, it goes to show that wavelength would have to DECREASE based on V = Lambda x f Think about it, your first harmonic produced only a HALF a wavelength that filled up the entire rope, while 2nd harmonic has to produce a ENTIRE wavelength to fill up that same rope. Wavelength is of course decreasing.

let me know if lengthy thing helps, lol.. Took me a while to get this stuff too so no worries.

 

[plzNOCarribbean]

Perfect. Thanks for the help.

 

[Rayhaan]

Remember that the speed doesn't change. If you know this then if v = f lambda then since f changes lambad must also since v can't change (velocity only changes with medium changes I believe)

 

[plzNOCarribbean]

Yeah I believe that is right because the speed of a wave depends on the TYPE of wave and the medium in which it travels. Light and Sound waves travel at much different speeds in the same medium.