The speed of a transverse wave on a stretched string is determined by the properties of the string: $v=\sqrt{\frac{T}{\mu }}$

• $T$: Tension in the string (higher tension increases the restoring force, speeding up the wave).
• $\mu$: Linear mass density (mass per unit length, $M/L$). Higher density (heavier string) increases inertia, slowing down the wave. Musical instruments are tuned by adjusting $T$ or selecting strings of specific $\mu$.