1. Standing Waves
Resonance

2. Standing waves in Strings
An incident wave undergoes fixed end reflection
Standing waves produce nodes where the amplitude is zero
Interference produces a wave that appears stationary with nodes and antinodes

3. Standing waves in Strings
A symmetrical pattern is stationary if:
Frequency doesn’t change
Distance between the two ends is constant
If the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases so nodes get closer together.
At certain frequencies (determined by the length of the medium) standing waves can set up to create antinodes (max amplitude) and nodes.
Earthquakes in buildings achieve maximum destruction if a standing wave exists in the building!!

4. Standing waves in Strings
The 1st harmonic satisfies L = ½ λ with L as the string length
At the fixed ends, there are always nodes
The number of antinodes matches the harmonic number ƒo

5. Standing waves in Strings
The 2nd harmonic satisfies L = λ
There are 3 nodes and 2 antinodes
This is also called the 1st overtone (1 above the fundamental frequency)(not on tests)
2ƒo

6. Standing waves in Strings
The 3rd harmonic satisfies L = (3/2) λ
There are 4 nodes and 3 antinodes
This is also called the 2nd overtone (2 above the fundamental frequency) (not on tests)
3ƒo

7. Standing waves in Strings
1st harmonic
L = 0.5λ
2nd harmonic
L = λ
3rd harmonic
L = 1.5λ

8. Standing waves in Strings
Nodes are always ½ λ apart
The general formula can be derived:
n = 1, 2, 3…the harmonic number
This same relationship applies to open end air columns (like with woodwind instruments)

9. Closed End Air Columns
A tube filled with water can be slowly drained out while holding a tuning fork vibrating over the open end.
At certain air column lengths, standing waves will be set up (with an anti-node at the top) and a loud sound is heard at this resonance point.
Fixed end reflection of the sound occurs from the water surface
Resonances occur at multiples of the wavelength at specific lengths.

10. Closed End Air Columns 1st harmonic L = ¼λ 2nd harmonic L = ¾λ
3rd harmonic
L = 1¼ λ

11. Open End Air Columns
Reflection with open tubes occurs due to pressure differences (air below tube is free to move) allowing open end reflection.
Standing waves occur with the same geometry as waves in strings.
Note: we use transverse waves to MODEL how sound behaves but really the patterns are more complicated to draw with longitudinal waves!!

12. Open End Air Columns 1st harmonic L = 0.5λ 2nd harmonic L = λ
3rd harmonic
L = 1.5λ

13. Closed End Air Columns General Formula:
n = harmonic number: 1, 2, 3. etc

14. Questions
Ex 1) The first resonant length of a closed air column occurs when the length is 18 cm.
What is the wavelength of the sound?
What is the speed of sound if a 512 Hz source is used?
a) First resonance occurs:
L = ¼ λ = 18 cm.
λ = 72 cm
b) v = f λ
= 512 Hz (0.72 m)
= 3.7 x 102 m/s

15. Questions
Ex 2) A tuning fork is held over a column filled with water. When the water is drained, the first resonance is heard at an air column length of 9.0 cm.
What is the wavelength of the tuning fork?
What is the air column length for the 2nd resonance?
Find the frequency of the tuning fork if it’s 20.0oC.

16. Questions a) First resonance occurs: L = ¼ λ = 9.0 cm. λ = 36 cm
b) L2 = ¾ λ = ¾ (36 cm)
= 27 cm
c) v=f λ
332 m/s m/s/oC(T) = f(0.36 m)
f = 9.6 x 102 Hz

17. Questions
A 500. Hz tuning fork is used to determine the resonances in an adjustable air column of air open at both ends. The length of the air column changes by 33.4 cm between resonant sounds.
Find the wavelength of the sound wave.
Find the speed of sound.
Determine the air temperature.
Answers: 66.8 cm, 334 m/s, 3.33oC

18. Questions Solution: Resonances occur ½ λ apart. 1/2 λ = 33.4 cm
v = f λ
v = 500 Hz (0.668 m)
= 334 m/s
v = 332 m/s m/s/oC (T)
334 m/s = 332 m/s m/s/oC (T)
T = 3.33oC