Chapter 2

Stationary Waves
 Progressive Wave
Progressive - Wave which transfer energy from one
Wave place to another.
Notes:
1. Progressive waves transfer energy from one point to
another in the direction the wave travels.
 Stationary - wave which does NOT move/progress
wave and NO energy is transferred from one
end to the other end.

1. Stationary wave also known as standing wave.

2. Stationary waves are waves where there is NO net

transfer of energy from one point to another because
the energy cannot flow past the nodes, which are
permanently at rest.

Node Node Node Node Node

 Stationary - formed by the superposition of two waves
wave with the same amplitude and frequency,
travelling at the same speed, but in opposite
directions.

Notes:
1. This is usually achieved by superposing a reflected
wave with its incident wave.

—— Incident wave
—— Reflected wave
—— Stationary wave
 Standing waves have nodes and antinodes.
Nodes - are points within a stationary wave that have the
minimum amplitude.

Antinodes - are points within a stationary wave that have

the maximum amplitude.

Notes:
1. The distance between two successive NODES or between
two successive ANTINODES is half a wavelength.
Question 1
Question 2
Fundamental Frequency and Harmonics
Fundamental - the lowest frequency (longest wavelength)
Frequency that can be produced by a stationary wave.

Harmonics - an integer (whole number) multiple of the

fundamental frequency.

fundamental frequency, f1
(1st harmonic)

frequency, f2 = 2 f1
(2nd harmonic)
 Stationary Waves on Strings
Fundamental mode, f1 or 1st Harmonic
This is the lowest frequency that can be produced by a
stationary wave.

The length of the loop, L is equal to half of a wavelength.

and so: 1 = 2L
also: f1 = v / 1 = v / 2L

node antinode node

L= length of a loop
 Stationary Waves on Strings
First Overtone or 2nd Harmonic, f2 = 2f1
This is the second lowest frequency that can be produced
by a stationary wave.

The length of two loops, L is equal to one wavelength.

and so: 2 = L
also: f2 = v / L = 2 f1

N A N A N

L = length of two loops = λ2

 Stationary Waves on Strings
Second Overtone or 3rd Harmonic, f3 = 3f1
The length of three loops, L is equal to one and one half
wavelengths.
and so: 3 = ⅔ L
also: f3 = 3v / 2L = 3 f1

N A N A N A N

L = length of three loops = 3/2 λ3

Fixed Ends Standing Waves

fundamental/1st harmonic

2nd harmonic

3rd harmonic
4th harmonic

5th harmonic

v nv
fn = =
n 2 L n = 1,2,3,...
 Question 3
When the wave looks like this:

the frequency is 45Hz. What is the lowest

possible frequency?

a) 9 Hz c) 15 Hz e) 135 Hz
b) 12.5 Hz d) 30 Hz f) Other
13
 Stationary Wave in Air Column,
Open Pipe (Open at Both Ends)

Fundamental Mode (1st Harmonic)

1 = 2 L
N
A A
v v
1 f1 = =
L=
2 1 2 L
 Stationary Wave in Air Column,
Open Pipe (Open at Both Ends)

2nd Harmonic (1st Overtone)

2 = L
N N
A A A

v
L = 2
f 2 = = 2 f1
L
 Stationary Wave in Air Column,
Open Pipe (Open at Both Ends)

3rd Harmonic ( 2nd Overtone)

N N N
A A A A

3
L = 3
2

2 v 3v
3 = L f3 = = = 3 f1
3 3 2 L
Open Ends Standing Waves

fundamental/1st harmonic

2nd harmonic

3rd harmonic

v nv
fn = = n = 1,2,3,...
 2L
 Stationary Wave in Air Column,
Closed Pipe (Closed at One End)

Fundamental Mode (1st Harmonic)

1
L = 1
N A
4
1 = 4 L

v v
f1 = =
1 4 L
 Stationary Wave in Air Column,
Closed Pipe (Closed at One End)

3rd Harmonic (1st Overtone)

3
L= 
4
4
= L
3
v3v
f = = = 3 f1
 4L
Closed at one End Standing Waves
1st harmonic

3rd harmonic

5th harmonic

v nv
fn = = n = 1,3,5,...
 4L
The fundamental frequency of a pipe that has one
end closed is 256 Hz. When both ends of the
same pipe are opened, the fundamental frequency
is
A. 64.0 Hz
B. 128 Hz
C. 256 Hz
D. 512 Hz
E. 1.02 kHz
The figure shows a standing wave in a pipe that is
closed at one end. The frequency associated with
this wave pattern is called the

A. first harmonic.
B. second harmonic.
C. third harmonic.
D. fourth harmonic.
E. fifth harmonic.