waves question?

Question

There are two lines of string connected to an oscillator, one only slightly longer. The oscillator is set to vibrate at the lowest frequency, creating a standing wave in the shorter one. Will this frequency create a standing wave in the larger one? Why or why not?

Answer 1

A standing wave occurs when the frequency of the oscillator and the frequency of the string are the same. 

 

A wave travels along a string at a constant speed so it takes more time to travel a longer distance. This changes the frequency of the string and therefore it will no longer be the same as the oscillator. Since the two frequencies are no longer the same a standing wave does not occur.

 

This answer assumes the two strings are exactly the same except for length AND that the environment of the experiment doesn't change.