This study was done to develop a simple and inexpensive wave driver that can be used in experiments
on string waves. The wave driver was made using a battery-operated toy car, and the apparatus can be
used to produce string waves at a fixed frequency. The working principle of the apparatus is as
follows: shortly after the car is turned on, the wheel starts to turn at a constant angular speed. A
rod that is fixed on the wheel turns at the same constant angular speed, too. A tight string that
the wave will be created on is placed at a distance where the rod can touch the string. During each
rotation of the wheel, the rod vibrates the string up and down. The vibration frequency of this rod
equals the wheel’s rotation frequency, and this frequency value can be measured easily with a small
magnet and a bicycle speedometer. In this way, the frequency of the waves formed in the rope can
also be measured.