What causes this type of wave?
2007-05-31 11:43:10 · 3 answers · asked by kevster1020 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Two propagating waves add together in such a manner that standing wave is formed.
2007-05-31 12:23:50 · answer #1 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you have waves bouncing around in a cavity or a string wiggling with fixed ends or something like that, the only way the wave can be maintained is if the wave has certain fixed frequencies so that the wave has nodes and antinodes at fixed points in the resonator. In the case of the string, the result is that the wave doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
Wiki answer: A standing wave, also known as a stationary wave, is a wave that remains in a constant position. This phenomenon can occur because the medium is moving in the opposite direction to the wave, or it can arise in a stationary medium as a result of interference between two waves traveling in opposite directions. There is no net propagation of energy.
2007-05-31 12:26:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ever watch someone play jump rope?
Well, if instead of spining the rope, they shake it up and down, they generate loopy waves that travel along the length of the rope, and go back and forth from one end to the other.
If they shake it just right, at the right frequency which will be different for any given length of rope, the rope will take on the appearance of a single curved shape, and will hold that shape. It reflects back and forth in perfect synchronization so it doesn't seem to move. and the amplitude of the wave is at the maximum that it can develop.
This is a standing wave.
When standing waves occur in nature as in earthquakes, they are very destructive, because the forces that they develop are very high.
2007-05-31 13:53:25 · answer #3 · answered by gatorbait 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋