# A guitarist plucks a string on an electric guitar. The string vibrates and produces a note. Describe the motion of the vibrating string and explain how the terms amplitude, frequency, and period apply to this oscillation.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.6.1 Periodic Motion · Describe · 5 marks

> When a guitar string is plucked, it oscillates back and forth about its rest position, producing a musical note. The pitch of the note is determined by how rapidly the string vibrates.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The string oscillates/vibrates about its equilibrium (rest) position
2. Amplitude is the maximum displacement of the string from its equilibrium (rest) position
3. Frequency is the number of complete oscillations (of the string) per second
4. Period is the time taken for one complete oscillation
5. Frequency and period are inversely related / period = 1 ÷ frequency (stated in words)

## Key terms

- [amplitude](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/amplitude)
- [frequency](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/frequency)
- [period](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/period)
- [oscillation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/oscillation)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-guitarist-plucks-a-string-on-7fa5ab87) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.