Vibrations of a Metal Plate

Alasdair Campbell1
Introduction
This experiment investigates 2-dimensional standing waves in circular and rectangular
metal plates. By varying the frequency of a mechanical vibrator attached to the
plates, each plate can be passed through its different standing wave modes. At each
allowed mode, salt scattered on the plate will form a unique pattern at the nodes of the
vibration. The different possible modes of each plate are investigated, along with how
the mode frequency changes with plate size and thickness. The relative wave velocity
can be derived, allowing the effect of dispersion in these systems to be explored.
Background
One-dimensional standing waves
Standing waves are formed when a wave is trapped between two perfectly reflecting
boundaries. A classic example is the one-dimensional standing wave on a string with
fixed ends. For fixed ends at x = 0 and x = L, the wave has the form: (x,t) 2Asin( n t ) sin(k n x)
[1.1]
where the only possible allowed wavevector kn and wavelength n values are:
kn n L
[1.2]
n 2L n
[1.3]
number n has to be a positive integer (1, 2, 3, 4,).
where the mode

= (2/3)L

Mode

k = 3/L

n=3

=L

k = 2/L
n=2

= 2L

n=1

k = /L

Fig. (1) 1D Standing wave solutions for both ends fixed

The wave is time dependant and will oscillate with these wavevector/wavelength
values. For n = 3, the oscillation will be:
A
N

A
N

Fig. (2) Variation with time of a 1D standing wave

where the points where the amplitude is always zero are the nodes N and the points
where the amplitude is always a maximum are the antinodes A. Given a phase
1

version3,February2006,updated02/07

velocity v, the frequency fn and angular frequency n of these modes can be

calculated:
f n v n vn 2L
[1.4]
n vn L
[1.5]
The allowed modes of the system give the possible standing wave harmonics. In
musical terms, the first harmonic is the fundamental, the second the first overtone, the

third the second overtone, and so on.

Mode n = 1
1st Harmonic f (Fundamental frequency)
1

= 2L
1

Mode n = 2
2nd Harmonic f = 2f (First overtone)
1

=L
2

Mode n = 3
3rd Harmonic f = 3f (Second overtone)
1

= 2L/3
3

Mode n = 4
4th Harmonic f = 4f (Third overtone)
1

= L/2
4

Fig. (3) Harmonics of a 1D standing wave

The above solution where the wave(x,t) has to be zero (has to be a node) at
x = 0 and x = L is the solution for stringed instruments such as guitars, violins and
pianos. It is also the solution for any quantum mechanical particle trapped in an
infinite potential well.
However, two other possible solutions can occur, each determined by the
boundary conditions.
The second solution involves the wave (x,t) having maximum amplitude (an
antinode) at both x = 0 and x = L. In this case:
(x,t) 2Acos( n t ) cos(k n x)
[2.1]
where the only possible allowed wavevector kn and wavelength n values are:
kn n L
[2.2]
n 2L n
[2.3]

f n v n vn 2L
[2.4]

vn
L
[2.5]
n

where the mode number

n
has
to
be
a
positive
integer
(1,
2,
3,
4,).
Thissolutionis

forwindinstrumentswherebothendsareopensuchastheflute.

Free to move at both ends

Fig. (4) 1D Standing wave solutions for where you have antinodes at both ends
(this is for the second solution Equations [2.1] [2.5])
The third solution involves the wave (x,t) having maximum amplitude (an
antinode) at x = 0 and zero displacement (a node) at x = L. In this case:
(x,t) 2Asin( n t ) sin(k n x)
[3.1]
where the only possible allowed wavevector kn and wavelength n values are:
k n n 2L
[3.2]
n 4L n
[3.3]

f n v n vn 4L
[3.4]
n vn 2L
[3.5]

where the mode number n has to be a positive odd integer (1, 3, 5, 7,). Thissolution

isforwindinstrumentswhereoneendisclosed(stopped)suchastheclarinet.

Fixed at one end

- free to move at other

Fig. (5) 1D Standing wave solutions for where you have a node at one end and an
antinode at the other (this is for the second solution Equations [3.1] [3.5])

Note that for the third solution certain mode numbers are forbidden. The first
three allowed harmonics are now associated with n = 1, 3 and 5.
Two-dimensional standing waves
The classic examples of musical instruments which use two-dimensional
standing waves are the bell and the drum skin. Moving to two dimensions is a much
more complicated situation and requires two mode numbers m and n. The two
systems we are looking at in this experiment are rectangular and circular plates, so we
will examine these in detail. The possible vibrations are shown in the Additional
Figures sheet at the back of the lab script.
Rectangular Plate
Below we consider the situation for a rectangular plate with free edges as
occurs in this laboratory experiment. It is the 2D version of the second solution [2.1]
[2.5] above.
Consider a rectangular plate of length Lx in the x direction and Ly in the y
direction. For plate edges which are free to move (have antinodes) at x = 0 and x = L x
and y = 0 and y = Ly, the wave has the form: ( x, y, t ) A cos( m ,n t ) cos( k x x) cos(k y y )
[4.1]
where the only possible allowed wavevector kx and ky values, and corresponding
wavelengths x andy, are:
k x m L x
[4.2a]
k y n L y
[4.2b]
x 2Lx m
[4.3a]
y 2L y n
[4.3b]

and the mode numbers

are m = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,.and n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,. The magnitude
of the total wavevector km,n of each mode is therefore:

km , n

2
n 2
m
kx2 k y2

Lx
Ly

[4.4]

Given a phase velocity v, the frequencyfm,nandangularfrequencym,nofthemodes

canthenbecalculatedfrom[4.4]:
fm ,n v

2
n 2
km , n v m

2
2 Lx
Ly

m, n 2f m, n

2
n
m
v


Lx
Ly

[4.5]
2

[4.6]

Some of the possible modes are shown in the Additional Figures sheet.

Circular Plate
Below we consider the situation for a circular plate with free edges as occurs
in this laboratory experiment.
The circular plate is more complicated mathematically than the rectangular
plate. The motions are in spherical coordinates r and . The two mode numbers are m
for bending along lines diagonally across the plate through its centre, and n for

circularly symmetric motions (see Additional Figures sheet). Standing waves

mathematically have the form: ( r , , t ) AJ m ( k m ,n r ) cos( m ,n t ) cos( m )
[5.1]
where Jm(kmnr) is the mth order Bessel function. The allowed wavevector k m, n values,
and corresponding wavelengths m, n, are:
k m ,n x ' m ,n ( D / 2)
[5.2]
m,n ( D / 2) 2x'm ,n
[5.3]
where D is the diameter of the plate and xm ,n is a number such that:
J m ( k m , n r )
r

[5.4]

(i.e. for a plate with free edges the Bessel function must be a minimum or maximum
so that an antinode occurs at the edge). As before, mode numbers are m = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
. and n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,. (see Additional Figures sheet).
A slightly mathematically easier situation to deal with is when we only allow
circularly symmetric vibrations. In this case m = 0 and:
(r, ,t) AJ0 (k 0, n r) cos( 0, n t )
[5.5]
Fig. 6 below shows the Bessel function J0(k0nr) for n = 5 compared to a simple cos(knr)
standing wave. Like the cos(knr) situation, there are still 5 nodes as we go from the
centre of the plate towards its edge. However, the distance between nodes is not
with radius r and the amplitude of oscillation decays away as we move
evenly spaced
from the centre to the edge of the plate.
cos(k.r)

Bessel Function

1.2
Amplitude (relative units)

H5

-1.2

10

12

14

16

radius r (relative units)

Fig. (6) Variation of the amplitude of vibration with radius in a circular plate with
free edges. This is the (n, m) = (0, 5) standing wave vibration. The Chladni figure
would have 5 nodal circles at the points where the Bessel function equals zero.
For these purely circular modesitispossibletocalculatek0,nforagivenn.Itisthen
possibletofind:
f 0 ,n vk 0,n / 2
[5.6]
0,n 2f 0,n
[5.7]
Some of the possible modes for the circular plate are shown in the Additional
Figures sheet.
Chladni patterns
E.F. Chladni (1756-1827) showed that by sprinkling fine sand on a metal plate
and then stroking it with a violin bow, patterns formed where there were nodes in the
2D standing wave pattern. Each pattern is unique to each given mode which has been

excited. The Additional Figures sheet shows a selection of Chladni patterns for
different shaped 2D surfaces. The figure for the rectangular plate also gives m and n
values for the patterns.
Dispersion
Another factor which can be explored in this experiment is dispersion.
Dispersion is when the phase velocity v of the wave varies with wavevector /
wavelength.Thisisaveryimportantandcommonphenomenainphysics.Ifnormal
dispersion, v decreases with increasing k. Ifanomalousdispersion, v increases with
increasing k.
Anomalous
dispersion
v constant

v(k)

Normal
dispersion

Fig. (7) Variation of wave phase velocity with wavevector/wavelength

This variation is commonly represented in physics on a dispersion curve
diagram which is a plot of against k.
v constant

(k)
Anomalous
dispersion

Normal
dispersion

k
Fig. (8) Dispersion curve
In the metal plates transverse waves should have a phase velocity:
vtrans T / h

[6.1]

where T is the surface tension, is the plate density and h plate thickness.
Therefore:

T / h k

[6.2]
Note that the surface tension T may also be a function of h in these systems.
Alternatively, bending waves should have a phase velocity:
c h
v bend L k
[6.3]
12
where cL is the longitudinal wave phase velocity and h plate thickness.
Therefore:

 c h
L k 2
[6.4]
12
Thisexperimentsexploreswhichequationisappropriateforthestanding
wavesintheplates.

Bibliography&FurtherReading
[1]VibrationsandWavesbyA.P.French(VanNostrandReinhold,1982)
[2]ThePhysicsofMusicalInstrumentsbyN.H.Fletcher&T.D.Rossing
(SpringerVerlag,1991)
[3]FundamentalsofAcousticsbyL.E.Kinsler,A.R.Frey,A.B.Coppens&J.V.
Sanders(Wiley,2000)
[4]VibrationsandWavesinPhysicsbyI.G.Main(CambridgeU.P.,1994)
[5]UniversityPhysicsbyH.D.Young&R.A.Freedman(PearsonAddison
Wesley,2004)

ExperimentalApparatus

perspex box

plate
vibrator

signal
generator

Fig. (9) Apparatus

InsteadofusingaviolinbowlikeChladni,wecanuseasignalgenerator.This
also allows us to determine the frequency fm,n of the standing wave mode. The
experimental apparatus consists of a signal generator attached to a mechanical
vibrator. The metal plates are mounted on the vibrator. The plates act like loud
speakersandsotheyandthevibratorareplacedinaperspexboxtoreducethesound.
Thevibratormovestheplateupanddownatthesignalgeneratorfrequency.Whenthe
frequency equals that of an allowed mode, the plate will strongly absorb the
oscillation.Theplatewillthenvibrateandflexstronglyinthestandingwavemode.If
salthasbeenpreviouslysprinkledontheplate,itwillbedisplacedintothenodesof
the standing wave. This will form a unique pattern dependant on the particular
standingwavemode.
SAFETYWARNING:
ThePerspexboxmustalwaysbeused.Withoutitthenoiselevelscanreacha
leveldeemedunacceptablebyHealthandSafetyregulations.Youmustusethe
boxtoprotectyourears.

ExperimentalProcedure
*Makesuretheplateislevel.
*Makesuretheplateiscleanremoveanyoldsalt.
*Sprinkleaverylightdustingofsaltevenlyovertheplate.
*Setthegeneratortothesquarewave.
*Keeptheattenuationsetto0.01toreducenoiselevels.
*Adjusttheamplitudetoabout0.25to0.5maximumvalue.
*Switchonthegeneratorandcarefullysweepfrequencyuntilitvibrates.You
shouldseethesaltjumpingaroundandheartheplatevibrating.Letthepatternform.
Ifthevibration isloud,reducetheamplitude immediately. Bylookingatthesalt
jumpingaroundandcarefullyadjustingthefrequency,recordfm,nanditserrorfm,n
(inHz).

*Sketchthepattern.(Afewofthemoreinterestingonescanalsoberecorded
withadigitalcamera.)Youmaywanttoswitchoffthegeneratorwhileyourecordthe
patternifthenoiseistooloud.
*Forsimple,lowerordermodesthevalueofkm,n canbecalculatedusingthe
distancebetweenthenodallinesorcircles(seebelow).

Lx or Ly (or D)

d1

d1
d2
Fig. (10) Vibration modes for the rectangular plates where (m,n) equals (2,0) or
(0,2) and (4,0) or (0,4). d1 & d2 will give the mode wavevector / wavelength.
Alternatively for the circular plates, this is the (0,1) and (0,2) one and two circle
patterns, where d1 and d2 must be related to the Bessel function to give the mode
wavevector / wavelength.
*To make measurements of the dimension of the pattern, switch off the
generator and remove the Perspex box.Always replace it before measuring more
modes.Recordd1,d2,..etcandtheirerrord1,d2,..etc(inm).
*Repeattheproceduretofindmorepatterns.
*Youmayneedtocleantheplateandcarefullyresprinklethesaltbetween
measurements.

Experiments
*YoumaydoAfollowedbyBorBfollowedbyA.
*Donotworryifyoucannotcompletetheexperiments.Seehowfaryoucango.
*Becarefulwithunits(youneedeverythinginSIunitsfortheplotsandcalculations).
*Dontforgettomeasureerrorsandtakethemthroughtoyourcalculatedparameters.

A)CircularMetalPlates
AvailablePlates:
Thicknessh=0.7mm
PlateC1:D=180mm
PlateC2:D=220mm
PlateC3:D=260mm
Thicknessh=1.5mm
PlateC3+:D=260mm
(i)Circularmodeanalysis
Tryandfindthe purely circular (0,n) modes for n = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for plate
C3. (You may not be able to find all of these due to the frequency range of the
generator). The n = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 modes should have the same number of rings as n
(ie. n = 5 has five rings). Be aware that sometimes it can be difficult to find the first
inner ring for the high n modes it disappears into the screw attachment at the centre
of the plate.
Foreachobservedmoderecordf0,nanditserror(inHz).Recordandmeasure
theringdiameters(d1,d2,d3,d4andd5)andtheirerrors(inm).
Calculate0,n=2f0,n(inrad/s)alongwiththeerror.
Calculatethetheoreticalk0,n(inrad/m)valuesusingTable1.
Calculatethemeasuredk0,n(inrad/m)valuesfromd1,d2,d3,d4andd5using
Table2below.Dotheyagreewiththeoreticalvalues?
Plotallvaluesoftheoreticalk0,nagainstmeasured0,nonadispersioncurve.
Useerrorbarswherepossible.Isvelocitydispersive?Whatsortofvaluesdoesthe
phasevelocityhave(inm/s)?
Plotlogk0,nvs.log0,n.Whatistheslope?Doeitherofthevelocityequations
[6.2]and[6.4]fitthisresult?
RepeatthemeasurementsforplateC3+andrecordf0,n anditserror(inHz).
AsthisplatehasthesameD,theoreticalk0,ndoesnothavetoberecalculated.
AddtheseresultstotheplotsofC3+data.Howdoesthevelocityvarywithh?
Doeitherofthevelocityequationsfitthisresult?

Table1
Theoretical values of k0,nfor the purely circular (0,n) modes for a plate of diameter D
with an antinode at its edge:
1Ringpattern:(0,1):
2Ringpattern:(0,2):
3Ringpattern:(0,3):
4Ringpattern:(0,4):
5Ringpattern:(0,5):

k0,1=7.66/D
k0,2=14.03/D
k0,3=20.34/D
k0,4=26.66/D
k0,5=33.18/D

Table2
Bessel function analysis for the nodes of the purely circular (0,n) modes gives:
1Ringpattern:(0,1):
2Ringpattern:(0,2):
3Ringpattern:(0,3):
4Ringpattern:(0,4):

5Ringpattern:(0,5):

k0,1=4.81/d1
k0,2=4.81/d1
k0,2=11.04/d2
k0,3=4.81/d1
k0,3=11.04/d2
k0,3=17.31/d3
k0,4=4.81/d1
k0,4=11.04/d2
k0,4=17.31/d3
k0,4=23.58/d4
k0,5=4.81/d1
k0,5=11.04/d2
k0,5=17.31/d3
k0,5=23.58/d4
k0,5=29.86/d5

Note: for large n patterns you sometimes will not see the first ring - it is too close to
the attachment screw so be careful how you assign ring numbers. The calculated k 0,n
values for a given pattern must be the same for d2, d3, d4 and d5 and theoretical k0,n.

B)RectangularMetalPlates
Plates:
Thicknessh=0.7mm
PlateR1:LX=120mm;LY=160mm
PlateR2:LX=150mm;LY=200mm

PlateR3:LX=180mm;LY=240mm
Thicknessh=1.5mm
PlateR2+:LX=150mm;LY=200mm
(i)Investigatingthepossiblemodepatterns
ChooseplateR3.Takeitupinfrequencyfrom50Hzandfindeachmode.We
donotknowthemandnvaluesformostofthese,solabeltheseN=1,2,3,etc..
Sketcheachmodeinyourlabbook.Forsomeofthemoreinterestingpatterns,you
mayrecordthemusingthedigitalcamera.Recordthefrequencyf(inHz)ofeach
modewithitserror.

(ii)Simplemodeanalysis
Tryandfindthesimple,lowmandnmodesforplatesR1,R2andR3.Thisis
where m and n equal 0 and 2 and possibly 4 (the latter may be difficult to find). Some
of these are shown on the Additional Figure sheet. Note that by symmetry
considerationsoddmandnnumbersshouldbeforbidden(why?).
Drawupatableoffm,nanditserror(inHz)andd1anditserror(inm).Inthe
table,calculatem,n=2fm,n(inrad/s).CalculatekX=/d1(d1inxdirection)ork Y=
/d1(d1inydirection)dependingonmandn.Calculatethemagnitudeofthetotal
wavevectorusingEquation[4.4].
Plotallvaluesof m,n andkm,n onadispersioncurve.Useerrorbarswhere
possible.Isvelocitydispersive?Whatsortofvaluesdoesthephasevelocityhave(in
m/s)?Doeitherofthevelocityequations[6.2]and[6.4]fittheresults?(Curvefitting
orusingalogm,nvs.logkm,nmayhelpyoudecide).
RepeatthemeasurementsandanalysisforplateR2+.Howdoesthevelocity
varywithh?Doeitherofthevelocityequationsfitthisresult?
{IfyouarehavingdifficultiesinPart(ii),movetoPart(iii)}
(iii)Highermodeanalysis
{DothispartifyoucannotdoPart(ii)}
Gobacktopart(i)andchoosethreehigherordermodesofunknownmandn.
Findfanditserror(inHz)forthesemodesforplatesR1,R2andR3.Foralltheplates
the ratio LX:LY is constant and equal to 3:4. Therefore, from Equation [4.5], for
particularvaluesofmandn:
2

k m, n

2
2
2
n
m
m
3 n
K(m,n)





Lx
Lx
Lx
4 Lx
Ly

[7.1]

whereK(m,n)isaconstant.Foreachmodeinturn,calculate =2fandplotit
against1/LX.Thisisadispersioncurvewherewavevectorisinarbitraryunits.Whatis
theslopeofthethreelines?Checkthisonaloglogplot.Isvelocitydispersive?Do
eitherofthevelocityequationsgivethisslope?
RepeatthisforplateR2+andcomparethe valuestoR2.Howdoesthe
velocityvarywithh?Doeitherofthevelocityequationsfitthisresult?

AdditionalFigures
Takenfrom:VibrationsandWavesbyA.P.French(VanNostrandReinhold,1982);ThePhysicsof
MusicalInstrumentsbyN.H.Fletcher&T.D.Rossing(SpringerVerlag,1991);Fundamentalsof
AcousticsbyL.E.Kinsler,A.R.Frey,A.B.Coppens&J.V.Sanders(Wiley,2000)