Product Summary
A sonometer is a two-string guitar device that uses hanging weights to create tension in the strings. The two strings have different densities. The student can vary the lengths of the strings using the included bridges and a pick (included) or finger to pluck the strings. Sonometers are used to study standing waves in strings, wave speed, and musical instruments.
Built-in Features
- Tuning gears for fine adjustment of string tension
- 5-to-1 tensioning lever allows the tension to be five times the hanging weight
- Scales on both sides to measure the string length to the indicator on the bridge
- Sounding board for resonating the sound of the vibrating strings
- Stainless steel string guides for durability
How It Works
The Sonometer is an apparatus used for exploring the wave properties of vibrating strings. It includes two mounts to install strings of different linear densities onto a sounding board. String length is varied by changing the position of a sliding bridge under the string. String tension is varied by hanging masses from the lever attached to the end of the string. To vibrate the strings, pluck them with a pick or use resonance by vibrating a tuning fork. Use a sound sensor with SPARKvue or PASCO Capstone to measure the frequency of vibration.
What's Included
- 1x Sonometer
- 2x Bridges
- 2x PASCO Guitar Pick
- 4x 0.014-inch steel string
- 4x 0.018-inch steel string
Product Specifications
| Working length of sounding board | 50 cm |
| Strings | Steel guitar strings with diameters 0.014-inch and 0.018-inch (4 of each type) |
| Tuning Gears | For fine adjustments of the string tension |
| Built-in Scales | Scales on both sides measuring the string length at the indicator on the bridge |
| Tensioning Lever | 5-to-1 lever to provide tension in the string with built-in bubble level |
| Maximum hanging mass per string | 3 kg |
| PASCO Guitar Pick | Yellow Nylon 0.73 mm thick |
Data Collection Software
This product requires PASCO software for data collection and analysis. We recommend the following option(s). For more information on which is right for your classroom, see our Software Comparison: SPARKvue vs. Capstone »
Experiment Library
Perform the following experiments and more with the Sonometer.
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
College / Physics
We will explore qualitatively how string tension, length, and linear density affect the sound of the vibrating string. Then we will take measurements for the following situations:
College • High School / Physics
Students measure the frequency of a vibrating sonometer string using a wireless sound sensor and FFT display. They investigate the relationship between tension in the string and the frequency while keeping the wavelength and linear...
College • High School / Physics
Students investigate the relationship between string length, wavelength, frequency, period, and wave speed using one of the strings on a sonometer. They use tuning forks to find the string length that resonates at each frequency.
College • High School / Physics
Students investigate the relationship between tension in the string and the wavelength while keeping the frequency and linear mass density constant. They find the string length that resonates at the frequency of the tuning fork...
College • High School / Physics
Students investigate the relationship between string length, wavelength, frequency, period, and wave speed using one of the strings on a sonometer. They use a sound sensor and FFT display to measure the frequencies produced.
