Standing Waves

A standing wave. The red dots are the wave nodes. The crest and trough are the anti-nodes

Standing Wave

Standing Wave

A wave that does not appear to move. A standing wave or a "stationary wave", is a wave that remains in a constant position. A standing wave pattern is produced when two sets of identical waves pass through the medium in opposite directions.

Node

Node

The region of the standing wave where there is minimal or zero displacement

- is a point of rest.
occurs where the crest coincides with the trough = Destructive Interference

Antinode

Antinode

The region of the standing wave where there is maximal displacement

- is a point of maximum disturbance. this occurs where 2 crests, or 2 troughs, coincide = Constructive Interference

External Resources

Standing Waves Rating 1 & 3.clear explanation and easily to understand

Harmonics:Fixed at both ends

Harmonics:Open at both ends

Harmonics:Open end air columns

FYI

Heres a link thats like an online interactive textbook. Will answer any questions you might have..: http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/waves/wavestoc.html (dhic014)

Another awsome link to teach you all about waves in pipes (closed and open) etc http://www.studyphysics.ca/newnotes/20/unit03_mechanicalwaves/chp141516_waves/lesson51.htm

A little handy hint to help remember each of the harmonics;
For open-ended pipes: the Number of Nodes = the harmonic number (the 3rd harmonic has 3 nodes) The Number of Antinodes = Number of nodes + 1 (3 nodes and 4 antinodes)

A link all about standing waves http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/waves/standw.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_wave