Waves on String

Study transverse waves, superposition, reflection, and string harmonics in a way that links formulas directly to JEE patterns.

Original Notes2 Core SectionsJEE Revision Style

Go to Notes Quick Revision Open Question Bank

Ad Slot: Top Navigation Leaderboard

JEE Intro

How to Think About Waves on String

Study transverse waves, superposition, reflection, and string harmonics in a way that links formulas directly to JEE patterns.

This chapter is written as original Learn at My Place teaching copy. The aim is to give you the JEE decision-making layer: what equation to trust, what approximation is valid, and where exam traps usually appear.

Read the full note once, then revisit the quick revision block before solving your own practice questions.

Section A

Notes: Waves on String

Original teaching copy for Learn at My Place

1. Speed and Superposition on a String 2. Standing Waves and Harmonics

1. Speed and Superposition on a String

For a stretched string, wave speed is:

v = \sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu}}

where

T

is tension and

\mu

is linear mass density. Higher tension increases speed; higher linear density reduces it.

Reflection at a fixed end inverts a pulse, while reflection at a free end does not. Superposition remains the master rule behind pulse overlap and interference.

2. Standing Waves and Harmonics

Standing waves form by superposition of two equal-frequency waves traveling in opposite directions. Nodes have zero amplitude; antinodes have maximum amplitude.

For a string fixed at both ends:

f_n = \frac{nv}{2L}, \qquad n=1,2,3,\dots

The fundamental is the first harmonic, and every higher mode is an integer multiple of it.

Quick Revision

Last 5-Minute Recall

JEE exam rule: First identify the governing principle. Most errors happen because students choose the wrong framework before they start the algebra.

Wave speed on a stretched string

Superposition and pulse reflection

Standing-wave formation

Harmonics and normal modes

Finished this topic?

Keep the practice loop moving

Move straight from chapter-wise questions into a subject test, then loop back into weaker areas instead of ending the session here.

Take Physics Mock Test Try Full JEE Physics Flow