Potential energy in standing wave compared to traveling wave

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the comparison of potential energy in standing waves versus traveling waves. It establishes that while a traveling wave has points of maximum displacement with zero instantaneous velocity and minimum tension, a sinusoidally contoured string possesses greater elastic potential energy due to its longer length compared to a straight string. The conversation further explores the energy dynamics in standing waves, highlighting that at maximum displacement, kinetic energy is zero, while at nodes, both kinetic and potential energy equal zero, and at antinodes, potential energy reaches its maximum value.

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  • Understanding of wave mechanics and properties of waves
  • Familiarity with concepts of kinetic and potential energy in physics
  • Knowledge of sinusoidal functions and their applications in wave theory
  • Basic grasp of superposition principle in wave interactions
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Why is the potential energy of a standing wave maximum when the displacement is maximum, but for a traveling wave, it is when the displacement is zero?
From hyperphysics, "The unique point in the case of the traveling wave in the string is the element of the string that is at the maximum displacement as the wave passes. That element has a zero instantaneous velocity perpendicular to the straight string configuration, and as the wave goes "over the hump", it also has minimum tension. So that element of the string has the minimum energy compared to other elements along the sinusoidal contour. This does not imply that a wavelength of the sinusoidally contoured string has less potential energy than the straight string. The sinusoidally contoured string is longer than a wavelength of straight string and will have greater elastic potential energy. As that sinusoidal contour moves along the string, it transports energy. "

Doesn't this also apply to a standing wave since it is a superposition of two traveling waves?
 
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I think for standing waves
kinetic energy + potential energy = f(x) a function depending on the position.
It means when displacement is maximum kinetic energy is zero.
At nodes kinetic energy = potential energy = f(x) = 0. At antinodes f(x) has maximum value.
 

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