Musings on waves - possible or already realised?

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In summary: But this has never been reliably demonstrated.In summary, it is possible to create a wave that converges and meets in the middle of a circular pool, but this has never been reliably demonstrated.
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A couple of idle musings but I hope interesting ones:

1. If a drop of water lands in a still pond, circular concentric waves spread out. Is it possible to reverse this process with a large circular wave generator such that the waves converge and meet in the middle, and a drop of liquid jumps out of the pool? Has anyone ever demonstrated this?

2. A guitar string makes a definite pitch because it's constrained by the nut and fret, allowing only waves that divide the string length a whole number of times. Could you make a fixed-pitch musical instrument from circles of metal (similar to the triangle but closed and, obviously, circular)? Would the oscillations of the metal be of a too-high frequency for this to work properly?

The inspiration for the latter is the electron in a hydrogen atom.
 
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Waves on a water surface are a bit like waves on a circular membrane and there is a lot of info about them, This link shows some good animations. The waves could be excited from the periphery which is what you are referring to, I think. Real waves on a pond would be a combination of several of the modes shown, probably.
The analogy of vibrations on a circled of wire to the De Broglie wave of a bound electron is something that A level students are often presented with. This link shows a demonstration of the normal modes of vibration of a wire loop. The demo would have been good if you were actually there but the video is pretty poor. But you can see that happens - with a bit of imagination. Note, the vibrations are transverse in the demo (low speed waves). You could have longitudinal waves too but compression waves are a lot faster and the wavelength would be much longer so you would need a very long wire for a standing wave to be established.
 
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Skip to about 00:30.
 
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Jehannum said:
If a drop of water lands in a still pond, circular concentric waves spread out. Is it possible to reverse this process with a large circular wave generator such that the waves converge and meet in the middle, and a drop of liquid jumps out of the pool? Has anyone ever demonstrated this?
You can try submerging partially filled circular vessels, such that the water overflows the rim simultaneously on all sides. Happens sometimes, when submerging the ladle back into the soup pot.

It can also potentially happen, when you drop something in the center of a circular pool, and then the waves are reflected off the walls, to meet back at the center. In a sense, also right after the object fell in, and the gap it created quickly fills with water from all sides.
 
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1. What is the concept behind "Musings on waves - possible or already realised?"

"Musings on waves - possible or already realised?" is a scientific inquiry into the nature of waves and their potential for real-world applications. It explores the different types of waves, their properties, and how they can be manipulated for various purposes.

2. What are some examples of waves that have already been realised?

Some examples of waves that have been realised include electromagnetic waves used for communication and energy transfer, sound waves used for sonar and medical imaging, and water waves used for generating electricity.

3. Are there any potential future applications for waves?

Yes, there are many potential future applications for waves. Some examples include using sound waves for levitation and propulsion, using electromagnetic waves for wireless energy transfer, and using water waves for desalination and purification.

4. How can waves be manipulated for practical purposes?

Waves can be manipulated through various methods such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference. Scientists can also use specialized materials and technologies to control and amplify waves for specific purposes.

5. Why is studying waves important in the field of science?

Studying waves is important in the field of science because waves are fundamental to many natural phenomena and have a wide range of practical applications. Understanding the properties and behavior of waves can lead to advancements in technology and improve our understanding of the world around us.

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