XLVIII. The partial tones of the struck string—Part I Experimental investigation of the fundamental

Abstract

Summary By harmonic analysis of photographically obtained vibration-curves of the struck string it is found that: (i.) the amplitude of the fundamental is greatest when the string is struck near one of the bridges; (ii.) the position of this maximum point is nearer the bridge the greater the relative mass of the hammer; (iii.) there are other maxima and minima, which become fewer and less pronounced as the relative mass of the hammer is reduced until for the mass-ratio m/M=1/2·53, there is only one minimum and two maxima for the whole length of the string; (iv.) the maxima are greater and the minima are less the nearer they are to a bridge.