The MultiPlot button allows plotting of multiple frames at fixed time intervals, representing the average string displacement noticeable to the eye, or in time-averaged photographs. The time-evolution is constructed for one period of the fundamental tone. If the user selects a point outside the upper plot region, the initial point defaults to a central point. Since the frequency of each harmonic is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency, the motion of the entire string, no-matter where it is plucked, must repeat exactly after the fundamental period. The lower section of the applet contains a bar-graph profile of the Fourier amplitudes for the fundamental and higher harmonic components of the vibrating string.
Unfilled bars correspond to negative amplitudes.
The power in each harmonic is proportional to the square of the corresponding amplitude. Note that as the string is plucked closer to the ends, the high- frequency content increases, as expected. Note also that plucking the string at certain locations can result in suppression of a whole set of harmonics.