Science
Standing waves.
Definition
Standing waves form when two waves of the same frequency and amplitude travel in opposite directions and interfere, creating a pattern of nodes (points of no displacement) and antinodes (points of maximum displacement). They appear to vibrate in place rather than travel.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 A guitar string vibrating at its fundamental frequency and harmonics
- 2 Organ pipes producing sound through standing air column vibrations
- 3 Microwaves creating hot and cold spots in a microwave oven
Key Fact
For a string fixed at both ends: λₙ = 2L/n, where n = harmonic number