Conceptual Standing Wave Question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of energy in a standing wave on a string, specifically at moments when the string appears flat. It is established that even when the displacement of the wave is zero, the wave is not stationary; it retains kinetic energy due to its velocity. Therefore, the total energy of the wave remains unchanged at these instants. Participants confirm the correctness of this understanding, reinforcing the concept that energy is conserved in standing waves.

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MyNewPony
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Homework Statement



If you take snapshots of a standing wave on a string, there are certain instants when the string is totally flat.

What has happened to the energy of the wave at those instants?


The Attempt at a Solution



I'm assuming that nothing has happened to the energy. At that instant in time, even if the displacement of the wave is zero, it does not imply that the wave is stationary, therefore, it still has a velocity. Thus, there remains kinetic energy in the wave.

Am I on the right track?
 
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Hi MyNewPony,

MyNewPony said:

Homework Statement



If you take snapshots of a standing wave on a string, there are certain instants when the string is totally flat.

What has happened to the energy of the wave at those instants?


The Attempt at a Solution



I'm assuming that nothing has happened to the energy. At that instant in time, even if the displacement of the wave is zero, it does not imply that the wave is stationary, therefore, it still has a velocity. Thus, there remains kinetic energy in the wave.

Am I on the right track?

Yes, that sounds right to me.
 

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