Understanding Standing Waves: Interference and Maximum Positions Explained

AI Thread Summary
To determine points of minimum or maximum interference between two speakers, one must calculate the wavelength using the speed of sound and frequency, then analyze the distance between the speakers to find the number of wavelengths. The points of minimum interference, or nodes, occur at specific intervals based on the wavelength, which can be calculated from the distance between the speakers. For the second question regarding wave equations, to find the maximum position of an element in the medium at a specific point, setting time 't' to zero simplifies the calculation, yielding the maximum displacement at that position. This approach aligns with the behavior of standing waves, where maximum displacement occurs at specific time intervals. Understanding these principles is crucial for analyzing standing wave patterns effectively.
dekoi
I have two questions regarding Standing Waves.

[i.] Suppose two speakers face each other with 'x' distance between them. They have = frequency. If i were told to find the points of minimum or maximum interference (or sound pressure amplitude) between the speakers, what excactly am i calculating for?

I understand that we could solve for wavelength (since we have the average speed of sound and frequency). Then, since we also have a distance for the sound wave to travel, we could find the number of wavelengths in that distance. But what now? I rejected my initial idea that the points of minimums are the nodes. So where are they?

[ii.] Two wave equations are available, differing only in direction. They both have 'y', 'x' and 't' variables. To find the "maximum position of an element in the medium" at e.g. x=1cm, i believe i would calculate for y when x = 1cm. But what should 't' equal? EQuating t to 0 produces the correct answer, but why??


Thank you.
 
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