The Necessity of Supply: Maintaining Standing Waves

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the necessity of supplying energy to maintain standing waves, particularly in systems like vibrating strings and electromagnetic cavities. A standing wave, while not transmitting energy, requires continuous power input from a vibrator to counteract energy losses due to radiation and other factors. The quality factor (Q) of the system plays a crucial role in determining energy loss; for instance, a superconducting cavity can achieve a Q of approximately 10^9, while a guitar string has a Q around 10^3, indicating significant differences in energy retention and loss mechanisms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave mechanics and standing waves
  • Familiarity with the concept of energy loss in physical systems
  • Knowledge of quality factor (Q) in oscillatory systems
  • Basic principles of electromagnetism and superconductivity
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of energy loss in standing waves
  • Study the implications of quality factor (Q) in different wave systems
  • Explore the behavior of electromagnetic waves in superconducting cavities
  • Investigate the dynamics of energy supply in vibrating strings and their applications
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, engineers, and students studying wave mechanics, particularly those interested in the behavior of standing waves in various mediums and applications in acoustics and electromagnetism.

adiputra
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why there is a need to supply energy to maintain a standing wave?
 
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sorry i think it is not quiite clear this is the full question. one end of a cord is attached to a vibrator while the other end is attached to a fixed position. a standing wave is resulted.althought energy is not transmitted by a standing wave, the vibrator must still provide power. Why is this?
 
A standing wave does not need to be supplied in energy to maintain its amplitude but for the losses of energy due to radiation and other causes.
Depending on the kind of wave and the "container" (string, EM cavity, drum skin, etc) and the coupling with the exterior, a standing can have heavy or almost zero losses. En electromagnetic wave in a superconducting cavity can have Q of the order of 10^9. A guitar string has Q of 10^3.
 

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