The Necessity of Supply: Maintaining Standing Waves

In summary, a standing wave does not require energy to maintain its amplitude, but energy is needed to compensate for losses due to radiation and other factors. The amount of energy needed depends on the type of wave and its coupling with the surrounding environment. For example, an electromagnetic wave in a superconducting cavity has very low losses, while a guitar string has higher losses and therefore requires more energy to maintain its standing wave.
  • #1
adiputra
23
0
why there is a need to supply energy to maintain a standing wave?
 
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  • #2
sorry i think it is not quiite clear this is the full question. one end of a cord is attached to a vibrator while the other end is attached to a fixed position. a standing wave is resulted.althought energy is not transmitted by a standing wave, the vibrator must still provide power. Why is this?
 
  • #3
A standing wave does not need to be supplied in energy to maintain its amplitude but for the losses of energy due to radiation and other causes.
Depending on the kind of wave and the "container" (string, EM cavity, drum skin, etc) and the coupling with the exterior, a standing can have heavy or almost zero losses. En electromagnetic wave in a superconducting cavity can have Q of the order of [tex]10^9[/tex]. A guitar string has Q of [tex]10^3[/tex].
 

1. What are standing waves?

Standing waves are a type of wave that occurs when two waves with the same frequency and amplitude travel in opposite directions and interfere with each other. This creates a pattern where certain points, called nodes, do not move at all while other points, called antinodes, experience the maximum displacement.

2. How do standing waves play a role in the necessity of supply?

Standing waves are essential in the functioning of many systems that rely on wave phenomena, such as musical instruments, telecommunications, and medical imaging. In these systems, standing waves are used to create a stable and predictable supply of energy, allowing for precise control and manipulation.

3. What are some practical applications of standing waves?

Standing waves have a wide range of practical applications, including in musical instruments, where they allow for the production of specific notes and tones. They are also used in industries such as telecommunications, where they are used to transmit and receive signals, and in medical imaging, where they are used to create detailed images of the body.

4. How are standing waves maintained?

In order for standing waves to be maintained, there needs to be a constant supply of energy to sustain the wave pattern. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, such as using a vibrating source or a continuous source of waves. Additionally, the medium through which the waves travel must also be consistent and stable.

5. What happens if standing waves are not maintained?

If standing waves are not maintained, they will eventually dissipate and cease to exist. This can occur if the source of the waves is removed, if the medium through which the waves travel changes, or if there is interference from other waves. In some cases, the breakdown of standing waves can lead to unpredictable or chaotic behavior in systems that rely on them.

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