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Waves

Principle of superposition of waves and formation of stationary waves

  • 6 things to know
  • Papers 1 and 3

Overview

Nodes and antinodes, the harmonics of a string, and the first harmonic formula.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

What is the phase relationship along a stationary wave, and how far apart are a node and antinode?

Numbers

What is the formula for the first harmonic on a string, what does f represent, and what is the formula used for?

Numbers

How do wavelength and the nodes and antinodes differ between the first and second harmonics?

Numbers

How does the nth harmonic relate to the first, and what forms when two waves meet head on?

Process

How do tension and length change the note a string produces, and how does amplitude vary along it?

Process

How does a greater mass per unit length change the note a string produces?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What condition regarding frequency must be met for two waves to form a stationary wave?

    Model answer

    The two waves must have the same frequency (and amplitude).

  2. 2

    In what directions must two waves travel relative to each other to produce a stationary wave?

    Model answer

    The two waves must travel in opposite directions.

  3. 3

    What process occurs when two waves travelling in opposite directions meet to form a stationary wave?

    Model answer

    Superposition of the waves occurs.

  4. 4

    Define a node on a stationary wave.

    Model answer

    A node is a point where the displacement is always zero.

  5. 5

    Define an antinode on a stationary wave.

    Model answer

    An antinode is a point where the displacement varies between maximum positive and maximum negative values.

  6. 6

    What is the distance between two adjacent nodes on a stationary wave?

    Model answer

    Half a wavelength (λ/2).

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