Standing waves

(also known as stationary waves) are set up as a result of the superposition of two waves with the
same amplitude and frequency, travelling at the same speed, but in opposite directions.
The waves are moving, but the same places have a very large amplitude oscillation while others have
zero amplitude and continuous destructive interference.
Stationary waves may be set up when a wave reflects back from a surface and the reflected wave
interferes with the wave still travelling in the original direction.
Look at this diagram. Notice that when a wave reflects, it comes back inverted (for example a crest
becomes a trough).

The reflected wave and the incoming
wave interfere. For example, at the
reflecting surface the two waves are
always exactly equal and opposite - so
they always cancel out. Such a place is
called a NODE. At other points along
the waves, the two ways always are the same - so they add together or interfere constructively and
make a double size wave. Such points are called ANTINODES.

A - places where the waves interere constructively and make double height wave - ANTINODE.
N - places where the two waves always 'cancel' out so there is no movement.
The distance between two NODES or between two ANTINODES is half a wavelength.
The distance between a NODE and the next ANTINODES is one quarter of a wavelength.
Harmonics and Overtones
Depending on the wavelength of a wave, different numbers of waves will fill in a certain space. This
can be really useful. Lets use an example of a string from a musical instrument.
The lowest possible frequency standing wave that can fit on the string will be:

This is called the fundamental frequency, and it is the longest wavelength for that string.
Wavelength will = 2 x L.
If we increase the frequency and decrease the wavelength, the next wave that will fit will be:

This is called the 1
st
overtone, or the 2
nd
harmonic. The wavelength = L. And so on...










Standing Waves in Pipes
you need to be able to work out the wavelength and frequency of the waves.
Pipes with one open end (closed pipe):
The fundamental frequency standing wave that can fit in a pipe with one open end will be:

L = x wavelength
So, Wavelength = 4 x L Frequency = f
If we increase the frequency and decrease the wavelength, the next wave that will fit will be:

L = x wavelength
So, Wavelength = 4/3 x L Frequency = 3 f
This is the 1
st
overtone, or the 3
rd
harmonic.

Wavelength = 4/5 x L Frequency = 5 f
This is the 2
nd
overtone, or the 5
th
harmonic.
Pipes with two open ends:
The fundamental frequency standing wave that can fit in a pipe with one open end will be:

L = x wavelength
So, Wavelength = 2 x L Frequency = f
If we increase the frequency and decrease the wavelength, the next wave that will fit will be:

Wavelength = L Frequency = 2 f
This is the 1
st
overtone, or the 2
nd
harmonic.

L =
3

2
x wavelength
Wavelength = 2/3 x L Frequency = 3 f
This is the 2
nd
overtone, or the 3
rd
harmonic.
End Correction
You may have noticed that you always get an antinode at the open ends and a node at the closed
ends. This helps when trying to draw the diagrams!
In actual fact the waves don't end exactly at the open ends and instead will go slightly further out of
the pipe. If you need to adjust for this in a calculation you just add on the extra distance to the
length of the pipe.