The Mystery of Standing Waves: How Do Guitar Strings Produce Sound?

AI Thread Summary
A standing wave on a guitar string does not transfer energy along the string but can still produce sound. The vibration of the string imparts energy to the surrounding air molecules, creating sound waves. This process explains how sound is generated despite the standing wave's lack of energy transfer. The confusion arises from the distinction between the wave's behavior on the string and its effect on the air. Understanding this mechanism clarifies the relationship between standing waves and sound production in musical instruments.
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if a standing wave is a wave which transfers no energy, how is it that a guitar string produces a sound? because it produces it via a standing wave, and the sound is sound energy, so where does the energy come from?
 
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A standing wave on a string carries no energy from one end of the string to the other.

It can, and does impart vibration on the air molecules around it, resulting in sound waves.

- Warren
 
ah yes. sorry, that was kind of obvious!
 

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