Standing waves Definition and 42 Discussions

In physics, a standing wave, also known as a stationary wave, is a wave which oscillates in time but whose peak amplitude profile does not move in space. The peak amplitude of the wave oscillations at any point in space is constant with time, and the oscillations at different points throughout the wave are in phase. The locations at which the absolute value of the amplitude is minimum are called nodes, and the locations where the absolute value of the amplitude is maximum are called antinodes.
Standing waves were first noticed by Michael Faraday in 1831. Faraday observed standing waves on the surface of a liquid in a vibrating container. Franz Melde coined the term "standing wave" (German: stehende Welle or Stehwelle) around 1860 and demonstrated the phenomenon in his classic experiment with vibrating strings.This phenomenon can occur because the medium is moving in the opposite direction to the wave, or it can arise in a stationary medium as a result of interference between two waves traveling in opposite directions. The most common cause of standing waves is the phenomenon of resonance, in which standing waves occur inside a resonator due to interference between waves reflected back and forth at the resonator's resonant frequency.
For waves of equal amplitude traveling in opposing directions, there is on average no net propagation of energy.

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  1. maxelcat

    Standing wave, phase and antiphase

    I think I understand that points P and R are pi radians out of phase - reaching their max/min at the same time. But are P and Q in anti phase? What is antiphase exactly - is it when they are 180deg out of phase - or is it when they are anything other than totally in phase? I seem to find...
  2. E

    Effect of temperature on vibrational frequency of a violin string

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  3. vel

    Displacement nodes for overtones

    (4 / 3) * (1.8) = 2.4 = lambda 1st overtone: 2.4 / 4 = .6; (2.4 * 3) / 4 = 1.8
  4. M

    Standing waves between two speakers in phase

    The solution provided in the manual poses that the point halfway between the nodes at each speaker is an antinode of pressure (node of displacement) but isn't that a contradiction to the fact that the speakers are in phase? My first thought was that they must interfere constructively and have...
  5. P

    I How does a standing wave form?

    I understand how waves undergo superposition. However, for a standing wave, the reflected wave is a mirror opposite of the incoming wave. By the superposition principle, won’t the 2 waves add up to 0, at all points?
  6. B

    Solving the wave equation for standing wave normal modes

    ## \frac {\partial^2 \psi} {\partial t^2} = v^2 \frac {\partial^2 \psi} {\partial x^2} ## has solution ## \psi (x, t) = \sum_{m=0}^\infty A_m \sin(k_mx + \alpha_m)sin(\omegat + \beta_m) ## The boundary conditions I can discern $$ \psi (0, t) = 0 $$ $$ \frac {\partial \psi} {\partial x} (L, t)...
  7. K

    Pressure Waves in an Open Tube

    1. Problem Statement: The pressure in an gas tube of length L stretched along the x-axis is given by P(x, t) = Patm + P1(x, t) + P2(x, t) (1) where , P1(x, t) = 20 [P a] sin (−5.9 x − 1300 t ) P2(x, t) = 20 [P a] sin (5.9 x − 1300 t ) One open end of the air tube is at x = 0m. By how much...
  8. Mohammed Sayanvala

    What do wave crests indicate about a boat's speed?

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  9. MatthijsRog

    What constitutes a closed end in acoustic resonance in tubes

    Dear all, For my students, I'm currently trying out some experiments they can do to simulate acoustic processes. One of the topics that we will be discussing is that of standing waves. Although I have never done it before--I come from a completely different background--I want to create...
  10. J

    Why do Harmonics Decay Faster than the Fundamental?

    When looking at the FFT spectrum of a sonometer, I noticed that the harmonics decayed faster than the fundamental. Why is this?
    • Joella Kait
    • Thread
    • fundamental frequency harmonic standing waves stationary waves waves
    • Replies: 19
    • Forum: Mechanics
  11. S

    Y-intercept of a lambda square VS tension of standing wave

    Hi all! I am doing an experiment where we create a standing wave by attaching a string to a hanging mass at one end and to a string vibrator at the other (the string passes through a pulley). When plotting the graph, the slope is inevitably 1/(u*f^2) where u is the linear density and f the...
    • Simon George
    • Thread
    • frequency standing nodes frequencies standing waves wave waves interference
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Mechanics
  12. S

    Standing Waves (Instruments) & Interference interpretation?

    Hi, I'm trying to solve two problems related to standing waves and wave interference; while I'm not having difficulty with the actual solving portion, I don't know if I'm interpreting the questions correctly. Question 1: "A violin string is tuned to 460 Hz (fundamental frequency). When...
  13. G

    Dielectrics and standing waves

    How do dielectrics affect the number of modes for standing electromagnetic waves in a box?
  14. Y

    B Is this an accurate description of standing waves?

    Hi all, is my description below a reasonable attempt in explaining how a standing wave forms? The main part I am a bit confused as to how to explain is why the antinodes move up and down. Thanks! A standing wave is formed when energy of a wave of the right frequency is trapped in the system...
    • Ytfeza
    • Thread
    • standing waves superposition waves
    • Replies: 6
    • Forum: Other Physics Topics
  15. Const@ntine

    Standing Waves: Synchronization between a Tube & a Stick

    Homework Statement A wooden stick, part of a musical instrument, which produces a musical sound when hit, oscillates by creating a transverse standing wave, with three antinodes and two nodes (3 "valleys", 2 "ground levels"). The lowest note has a frequency of f = 87.0 Hz, and is produced by...
  16. L

    Phase difference and Standing waves vs Progressive waves

    and Homework Statement Ok, so I am doing As physics at the moment and have been left confused by stationary waves. I have read that between adjacent nodes/ even numbers the phase difference is always 0 and between numbers of does it is pi radians. So in the attatched image why is my textbook...
  17. W

    Flute player initial frequency?

    Homework Statement A flute player hears four beats per second when she compares her note to a 587 Hz tuning fork (the note D). She can match the frequency of the tuning fork by pulling out the "tuning joint" to lengthen her flute slightly. What was her initial frequency? Homework Equations Not...
  18. O

    Python Wave on string: How can I create a traveling triangle pulse?

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  19. O

    Why plucking of string creates two pulses?

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    • Omsin
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    • mechanic of fluids standing waves wave equation
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  20. Marcus95

    Number of Different resonances in a closed Box

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  21. S

    B Moving to a higher harmonic in a standing wave

    Imagine that you have plucked a string and it is vibrating as a standing wave at its fundamental tone (frequency f1). You leave it there and later on come back with the intention of bringing it up to the second tone (frequency f2). What should you do? It seems obvious: apply a stimulous...
  22. S

    I Macroscopic versus microscopic standing waves

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    • Saw
    • Thread
    • electron standing waves string
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  23. C

    Pressure standing wave nodes at the end of the open side of

    I do not understand why standing sound waves can be formed in a one-side or two-side open tube. Consider a one-side open tube. In particular how does the reflection of the wave at the open end occur? I found the following explanation. I do not get why the pressure at the open end cannot vary...
    • crick
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    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Mechanics
  24. C

    Mechanical energy in an harmonic wave and in normal modes

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  25. ashsully

    B Confusion with Waves

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  26. J

    A Reducing standing waves with phase randomization

    Will constantly randomizing the phase of an audio signal, say a speaker in the corner of a square room, reduce standing waves (i.e. room modes) in the room? For example if you wanted to create a diffuse field in a small (i.e. no standing wave interference patterns) at low frequencies.
  27. steven george

    I Frequencies of standing waves in a straw

    I am a physics teacher and I my class is currently studying sound waves. I had my class make some noise makers with straws as shown here. http://www.physics.org/interact/physics-to-go/straw-oboes/ We measured the frequencies coming from the straws and they seem to act like a pipe open at...
  28. hiver

    Finding the value of g using 2nd Harmonic Frequency

    Homework Statement As the captain of the scientific team sent to Planet Physics, one of your tasks is to measure g. You have a long, thin wire labeled 1.80 g/m and a 1.30 kg weight. You have your accurate space cadet chronometer but, unfortunately, you seem to have forgotten a meter stick...
  29. V

    Find the Minimum Length of a Vibrating String

    Homework Statement the equation of a stationary wave produced on a string whose both ends are fixed is given by y= [0.6sin(pi/10)x]cos(600pi)t what could be the smallest length of string? Homework Equations k=2pi/wavelength The Attempt at a Solution i got the wavelength to be 20 but don't...
  30. F

    Reflection of Waves and Formation of Standing Waves

    I have three doubts in regard to waves on a string which I will try to make as clear as possible. For this purpose, I have considered a general wave: $$y_i=y_0\sin(\omega t - kx)$$ (1) If a wave pulse: $$y = y_0 e^{\frac{-1}{T^2} \left(t-\frac xv \right)^2}$$ is incident against a rigid...
  31. N

    No mass for mass per unit length

    Homework Statement A ski gondola is connected to the top of a hill by a steel cable of length L and radius R . As the gondola comes to the end of its run, it bumps into the terminal and sends a wave pulse along the cable. It is observed that it took T seconds for the pulse to return. What is...
  32. Mnemonic

    Goniometers and Standing Waves

    Homework Statement Initially your receiver is positioned at a distance of 8.4 cm from the goniometer and recording a maximum intensity. You move it through 10 minimums in the intensity and then stop at the next maximum intensity. The receiver is now a distance of 27.3 cm from the goniometer...
  33. Toon

    Superposition: Adding two waves together -- amplitude help

    Homework Statement " Two traveling waves are generated on the same taut string. Individually, the two traveling waves can be described by the following two equations: If both of the above traveling waves exist on the string at the same time, what is the maximum positive displacement that a...
  34. K

    Sound standing waves paradox....

    If you seal a loudspeaker at the end of a tube and close the other end of the tube you will get standing waves; but what are the boundary conditions at the speaker for the sound pressure wave? Pressure =0 or Pressure = MAX? I find no mention of this in the literature. To find out I performed a...
    • Kelvin273
    • Thread
    • acoustics boundary conditions sound standing waves waves interference
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Mechanics
  35. kelvin490

    Question about intensity of EM waves

    For electromagnetic wave if it's reflected from a perfect conductor standing wave can be form. I wonder why Poynting vector can be used to describe the intensity of standing EM wave. (see p.19 of http://web.mit.edu/viz/EM/visualizations/coursenotes/modules/guide13.pdf ). From some textbooks...
    • kelvin490
    • Thread
    • electromagnetic waves intensity reflection standing waves wave and optics
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Electromagnetism
  36. A

    Standing waves in tube closed tube

    Homework Statement A tone with frequency 2,00 * 10^3 Hz is held above a tube filled with water. The water level is increased and decreased. When the water level is 5.7cm below the opening of the tube, the first sound maxima is heard. When the water level is 39.3cm below the opening of the...
  37. O

    Produce Standing Wave Problem

    Homework Statement The equation of a transverse wave traveling in a string is given by y(x,t) = 10 cos (π/2)(0.0050x - 8.0t + 0.57), in which x and y are expressed in centimeters and t in seconds. Write down the equation of a wave which, when added to the given one, would produce standing...
  38. O

    Amplitude and Velocity of Component Waves

    Homework Statement A string vibrates according to the equation y(x,t) = 2.0*sin (0.16x)cos (750t) , where x and y are in centimeters and t is in seconds. (a) What are the amplitude and velocity of the component waves whose superposition give rise to this vibration? (b) What is the distance...
  39. Kevin Spacey

    Describing how to make a standing wave?

    I'm struggling in physics class, and I really need help with this question. "If you are holding a spring in your hand and making waves, describe how to make a standing wave at the 2nd resonance frequency (next frequency over the fundamental). Include a sketch with your answer." What does this...
  40. Physics_Lovvee

    Standing (Stationary waves)

    Can standing waves be both transverse and longitudinal?
  41. A

    Driver rod

    Homework Statement http://puu.sh/bZQiV/43f7515806.png [Broken] Homework Equations This is a conceptual conception so no equations[/B] The Attempt at a Solution I believe answer is D since it is the longest and thus can have the highest amplitude. Is it correct?[/B]
  42. B

    Why are standing waves on a guitar string sinusoidal?

    Ok I understand the idea that a standing wave can be represented as the sum of two traveling waves going in opposite directions with same stuff but what I don't understand is why the waves on a guitar string are sinusoidal. I mean I know looking at them, they look sinusoidal but could they be...
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