STATIONARY WAVES

Question 1

how are stationary waves formed?

Answer 1

the two waves must overlap by travelling in the opposite direction with the same frequency, with approximately equal amplitudes. when out of phase by 180º

Question 2

what is a node

Answer 2

at points in a stationary wave where there is no displacement

Question 3

what is an anti node

Answer 3

the point in a wave where there is maximum displacement from the equilibrium line

Question 4

what is the distance between a node and an antinode in terms of wavelengths

Answer 4

1/4 wavelength

Question 5

explain the stationary microwave experiment

Answer 5

microwave transmitter, microwave receiver , metal sheet
- metal sheet reflects microwaves to form stationary waves.
-if you move the receiver across the microwave, every half wavelength there will be max signals, and between those will be min.

Question 6

what do the vibrations of strings depend on.

Answer 6

-its mass per unit length
- its tension
-the length of the string

Question 7

how does a stationary wave form on a string

Answer 7

when the progressive wave reaches the fixed point, it will reflect back along the string.- the two waves superimpose and cause a stationary wave

Question 8

what is the the fundamental mode
and what is the fundamental frequency

Answer 8

where the length of the string is half the wavelength of the note.
the fundamental frequency is the lowest frequency, highest wavelength able to be produced

Question 9

what are harmonics

Answer 9

whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency