Stationary Waves

Question 1

Nodes

Answer 1

Area on the wave where the amplitude of the two waves cancel out and a continuous ‘resting point’ is formed on the stationary wave

Question 2

Antinode

Answer 2

Point on standing wave where amplitude of two waves adds up to create a larger resultant wave

Question 3

Resonators

Answer 3

The storing of energy in an oscillation

the energy coming from an external source matches the natural frequency of the system and forces it to vibrate more

Question 4

Natural Frequency

Answer 4

All objects have a frequency at which they naturally ‘vibrate’ at

determined by the number of half wavelengths (harmonics) that fit within it’s boundaries

Question 5

Force Frequency

Answer 5

Describes the frequency of the incoming wave (the one that causes the object to resonate).

The closer the forcing frequency is to the natural frequency, the bigger the resonance. It is also known as the driving force

Question 6

When do harmonics occur?

Answer 6

Harmonics occur when ‘Half Wavelengths’ fit exactly between two fixed points

Question 7

Use of resonance

Answer 7

Microwave and musical instrument

Question 8

Use of resonance in microwaves

Answer 8

Resonant cavity is used to build up microwave power.

Reflectors inside the microwave cooking spaces cause hot spots (antinodes) and cold spots (nodes), so food is usually rotated on a turntable so gets evenly cooked