Geophysical Techniques Lab Report:: Mild's Apparatus

Geophysical Techniques
Lab Report: Mild’s Apparatus

I) Aim:
Determination of the frequency of an electric source using Mild’s
apparatus
II) Theory:
 Frequency
Frequency of a source is the number of oscillations or cycles per unit time
(per second).
The SI unit of frequency is hertz “Hz”.
Wavelength “𝛌” is the distance between two crests of waves.
Period “T” is the time needed for one complete cycle of vibration to pass
a given point. As the frequency of a wave increases, the period of the
wave decreases.
1 𝑣
𝑓= =
𝑇 𝜆
Where f: frequency of a source
T: period
v: velocity of propagation of a wave
𝛌: wavelength
 Standing waves
Standing waves, also known as stationary waves, are produced whenever

two waves of identical frequency interfere with one another while travelling
in opposite directions along the same medium. In other words, standing
waves are the interference of the incident and reflected waves.
These waves remain in a constant position and there is on average no

transfer of energy. This means that the wave patterns do not move left or
right, in other words, the location of the maxima and minima do not change.
A standing wave pattern always consists of an alternating pattern of nodes

and antinodes.
Nodes are the points along the standing wave where the wave has the
minimum amplitude. They are the points of no displacement from the rest
position (standstill). They are caused by destructive interference of the two
waves.
Antinodes are the points along the standing wave where the wave has the
maximum amplitude. They are the points of maximum displacement from
the rest position. They are caused by constructive interference of the two
waves.
𝜆
The distance between two antinodes or two nodes is 𝑥 = 2
 Derivation:
The length of the stretched wire “L”vibrating with n- antinodes is related to

the wavelength of vibration such as:
𝑛𝜆 2𝐿
𝐿= 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜆 =
2 𝑛
Knowing that the velocity of propagation of the transverse wave is:
𝑣 = 𝑓×𝜆 (1)
The forces acting on the load are the tension T and the weight W
When the load is at rest ∑ 𝐹⃗ = ⃗0⃗
⃗⃗ + 𝑊
𝑇 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 0
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ∴ 𝑇 − 𝑊 = 0 ∴ 𝑇 = 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔
Where m is the mass loaded and g is the gravity
The forces acting on the wire are tension and weight

∑ 𝐹⃗ = 𝑚𝑎⃗
Along the x-axis ∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑇 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑚𝑣2
𝑇= 𝑅
𝑇𝑅
𝑣 = √𝑚
𝑇
𝑣 = √𝜌 (2)
Where T is the tension force, m is the mass loaded, v is the
velocity of the wave, R is the length of the wire, and 𝜌 is mass per
unit length (density relative to length).
Therefore, from (1) and (2), we have:
𝑛 (4𝐿2 𝑓2 𝜌)
𝑓= 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑇 = (3)
2𝐿√
𝑇 𝑛2
𝜌
Where f is the frequency of vibrations and n is the number of
antinodes
If it is allowed to have only one anti node along the length of the
stretched wire at different tensions, in this case (3) becomes
𝑇 = (4𝐿2 𝑓 2 𝜌)
III) Apparatus:
 Different masses
 Isolated copper wire
 Ruler
 Rheostat
 Connecting wires
 Transformer
IV) Procedure:
1. Put the tension load on the suspended pan.

2. Record L, the length where the wire vibrates max.
3. Repeat the previous step for different loads.
4. Tabulate your results.
5. Plot the graph representing the variation of T as a function of L2. The
graph is a straight line passing through the origin of slope (4𝑓 2𝜌)
6. Calculate f, knowing that 𝜌 = 0.02 𝑔/𝑐𝑚
V) Results and Calculations:
T(N) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
L(m) 0.24 0.31 0.37 0.4 0.44 0.46 0.59
2 2
L (m ) 0.0576 0.0961 0.1369 0.16 0.1936 0.2116 0.3481
variation of T as a function of L²
12
10 y = 27.576x
Tension force T (N)
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
The square of the length where the wire vibrates max L² (m²)
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 27.57
Slope =4𝜌𝑓 2 then 𝑓 = √ 4𝜌
= √4×0.02×10 −1 = 58.7 𝐻𝑧

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Geophysical Techniques

Lab Report: Mild’s Apparatus

Standing waves, also known as stationary waves, are produced whenever

These waves remain in a constant position and there is on average no

A standing wave pattern always consists of an alternating pattern of nodes

The length of the stretched wire “L”vibrating with n- antinodes is related to

The forces acting on the wire are tension and weight

1. Put the tension load on the suspended pan.

V) Results and Calculations:

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