Standing Waves

Front

Standing Wave Noun

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[stan-ding wayv]

Back

Standing Wave

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A wave pattern that appears stationary, created by the interference of two identical waves traveling in opposite directions.

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Example: This diagram shows how a standing wave is formed on a string, illustrating points of no motion (nodes) and points of maximum motion (antinodes) for different wave patterns.

Front

Superposition Noun

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[soo-per-puh-zish-uhn]

Back

Superposition

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The principle stating that when two or more waves overlap, the resulting displacement is the algebraic sum of individual displacements.

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Example: This diagram shows superposition by adding two identical waves (Wave 1 + Wave 2). The resulting wave has a larger amplitude, demonstrating constructive interference.

Front

Interference Noun

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[in-ter-feer-uhns]

Back

Interference

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The phenomenon where two or more waves interact, resulting in a new wave of greater, lower, or the same amplitude.

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Example: When waves from two sources overlap, they interfere. This diagram shows how their crests can add up, creating points of constructive interference.

Front

Node Noun

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[nohd]

Back

Node

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A point along a standing wave that remains stationary, having the minimum amplitude or zero displacement at all times.

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Example: This diagram shows standing waves, where nodes are the points (red dots) along the wave that have zero movement or amplitude.

Front

Antinode Noun

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[an-tee-nohd]

Back

Antinode

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A point along a standing wave that oscillates with the maximum amplitude, located midway between two adjacent nodes.

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Example: This diagram of a standing wave shows that antinodes are the points that move the most, reaching the highest and lowest positions.

Front

Harmonic Noun

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[har-mon-ik]

Back

Harmonic

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A component frequency of an oscillation or wave that is an integer multiple of the system's fundamental frequency.

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Example: This diagram shows a series of standing waves on a string. The simplest wave is the fundamental (first harmonic), and the subsequent, more complex waves are the overtones (higher harmonics).

Front

Fundamental Frequency Noun

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[fun-duh-men-tl free-kwuhn-see]

Back

Fundamental Frequency

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The lowest natural frequency of a vibrating object or system, corresponding to the first harmonic of the wave.

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Example: This diagram shows the fundamental frequency as the simplest standing wave pattern (top) that can form on a string fixed at both ends.

Front

Harmonic Number Noun

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[har-mon-ik nuhm-ber]

Back

Harmonic Number

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An integer, also called the mode number, that identifies a specific harmonic and equals the number of antinodes present.

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Example: The harmonic number of a standing wave corresponds to the number of vibrating sections (loops) it contains, as shown for the first, second, and third harmonics.

Front

Amplitude Noun

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[am-pli-tood]

Back

Amplitude

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The maximum displacement or distance moved by a point on a vibrating body or wave from its equilibrium position.

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Example: This diagram shows a wave on a graph. Amplitude is the maximum distance the wave moves up or down from its center equilibrium line.

Front

Wavelength Noun

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[wayv-length]

Back

Wavelength

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The spatial period of a periodic wave; the distance between corresponding points of two consecutive waves, such as crests.

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Example: This diagram shows a wave and labels its wavelength as the distance from one crest (the highest point) to the next crest.