Transverse Vibrational Mode of Thin Rod or Bar

The fundamental transverse vibrational mode of a thin bar or rod looks like the animated image below. For chimes and similar percussian instruments, the frequency of this mode determines the pitch.

Nodes are the locations where there is no motion. The fundamental has two nodes. For a uniform rod or bar, these nodes are about 22% of the total length from either end of the bar.

(The motion shown is greatly exaggerated from what occurs in a real rod or bar.)

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