Topic 15 – Superposition AS Level

15.1 - Stationary waves

Learning Outcomes:
 explain and use the principle of
superposition in simple applications
 show an understanding of experiments
that demonstrate stationary waves
using microwaves, stretched strings
and air columns
 explain the formation of a stationary
wave using a graphical method, and
identify nodes and antinodes

Principle of Superposition 3. In general, if n waves are superimposed,

1. When two or more waves meet, the total
displacement at any point is the vector
sum of the displacements that each
individual wave would cause at that point.
the total displacement is
y = y1 + y2 + … … + yn
Example 1
These two waves are p radians out of phase,
but have different amplitudes. Draw the
output wave you would expect.

Example 2
On a graph paper, two ‘triangular’ wave is
shown below. One have wavelength 8 cm and
amplitude 2 cm; the other have wavelength
16 cm and amplitude 3 cm. Use the principle
of superposition to determine and draw the
Note: Superposition will occur whether
resultant displacement along the waves
waves are coherent or not. (However, if
the waves are coherent, they will
interfere to produce a fixed pattern.)

2. The superposition of two waves with

displacement y1 and y2 are shown. The
total displacement for both waves is
given by y = y1 + y2.

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Topic 15 – Superposition AS Level

Stationary Waves
1. A stationary wave is formed when two
progressive waves of the same frequency
and amplitude travelling in opposite
direction are superimposed.
2. This can be done by moving a spring that
is fixed to the wall at one end. Formation of Stationary Wave by
3. When a spring oscillate vertically, a Interference
single transverse wave is created and
travel along a slinky spring.

4. The wave is reflected when it reaches

the fixed end and superimposed with the
second wave from the oscillation.

5. The wave interfere and producing a new

wave pattern is called a stationary or
standing wave.

1. A stationary wave formed when two

progressive waves of the same amplitude
and wavelength, travelling in opposite
6. There are points along the spring that
direction superimposed (interference).
remain motionless when the spring
2. Diagram above uses a displacement –
experiencing stationary wave. The points distance graph to illustrate the
that do not move are called the nodes, N. formation of stationary wave along a
spring (or string).
7. While there are points along the spring
(a) At t = 0, the progressive waves travel
that oscillate with max amplitude when
to the left and right are in phase.
the spring experiencing stationary wave.
The wave combine constructively,
These point are called antinodes, A.
giving a max. amplitude.

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Topic 15 – Superposition AS Level

T
(b) At t = , the two wave are antiphase
4
(phase difference = 180 o). The waves
combine destructively, giving zero
displacement.
T
(c) At t = , the two waves are in phase
2
again. They once again combine
constructively.
3T
(d) At t = , the waves are in antiphase
4
again. They combine destructively
with zero displacement.
(e) At t =T, the wave complete one whole
oscillation with no phase difference.
The waves combine constructively
with the same profile as t = 0
4. The lowest possible frequency
stationary wave that can fit on the
string is known as fundamental or the
1st harmonic which is shown in (a).
5. When the frequency is doubled, another
stationary wave is formed. This is known
as 1st overtone or 2nd harmonic which is

Stationary Wave on Strings shown in (b)

(Melde’s Experiment) 6. Further increases in frequency produce

stationary waves in (c) and (d).

Fundamental or 1st harmonic

v v
λ1 = 2L ; f1 = =
λ1 2L

1st overtone or 2nd harmonic

v 2v
λ2 = L ; f2 = = = 2f1
λ2 2L
1. Diagram shows the stationary wave set
up in stretched string when one end of 2nd overtone or 3rd harmonic
2 v 3v
the string attached to a vibrator which is λ3 = 3 L ; f3 = = = 3f1
λ3 2L
oscillating.
2. The distance of the vibrator from the 3rd overtone or 4th harmonic
pulley is adjusted until resonance occurs. 1 v 4v
λ4 = 2 L ; f4 = = = 4f1
3. As the frequency of the vibrator is λ4 2L
changed, different stationary wave
patterns are formed.

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Topic 15 – Superposition AS Level

7. In general, for nth harmonic, Diagram shown one end of a string attached
to a vibrator. The length between the string
2L
λn = where n = 1,2,3 … and vibrator and pulley is 63.0 cm. When
n
the frequency of the vibrator varied, the
string vibrate with large amplitude at
8. The frequency fn of the nth harmonic is
certain point along its length.
given by
v (a) Explain why this happens.
fn = (b) If the speed of the wave along the
λn
string is 150 m s-1, find the three lowest

Note: resonant frequencies.

(a) The distance between two NODES or (c) Sketch the mode of vibration for each
1 case in (b)
between two ANTINODES is
2
λ
(b) The distance between a NODE and the
1
ANTINODES is
4
λ

Example 3
A wire stretched between two points 0.60 m
apart is plucked near one end. What are the
three lowest resonant frequencies if the
speed of transverse progressive wave along
the string is 600 m s-1?

Stationary Wave in Air

Example 4
The lowest resonant frequency of a piano
string of length 0.90 m is 200 Hz. What is
the speed of transverse wave on the string?

1. A loudspeaker is connected to an audio

frequency generator and emitted sound
wave with fixed frequency.
2. The waves is directed to a reflector and
Example 5 superimposed between the reflected and
incident wave produces stationary wave.
3. A microphone connected to a c.r.o moved
away from the reflector until the trace
on c.r.o has the max. height.

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Topic 15 – Superposition AS Level

4. The microphone is at an antinode, its

distance x1 from the reflector is
(c) Displacement-distance graph
measured.
5. The microphone is then moved further
until the next antinode is detected. The
distance x2 is measured.

Hence, 3. The note is located at the closed end

d = x 2 – x1 while the antinode is at the open end.
where, 4. Increases in frequency produce
d = distance of successive antinode stationary waves as shown below.

and (a) Fundamental or 1st harmonic

λ
= x 2 – x1
2
λ = 2(x2 – x1)
Since,
v=f λ 1
L= λ1 and λ1 = 4L
Therefore, 4
v = 2f(x2 – x1) Therefore,
v v
f1 = =
λ1 4L
Stationary Wave in Air Column
(Closed pipe) (b) 1st overtone or 3rd harmonic

3 4
L= λ2 and λ2 = L
4 3
Therefore,
v 3v
f2 = = = 3f1
λ2 4L

(c) 2nd overtone or 5th harmonic

1. If the air in a pipe that is closed at one
end is disturbed by a source of sound, a
progressive longitudinal wave travels
along the column and reflected at its end
to form a stationary sound wave as shown
in (a) 5 4
L= λ3 and λ3 = L
2. Particle 3 at the opened end has the 4 5
greatest displacement and particle 0 at Therefore,
the closed end is not displace at all as v 5v
f3 = = = 5f1
shown in (b) and (c). λ3 4L

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Topic 15 – Superposition AS Level

5. In general, for nth harmonic, Stationary Waves in Air Column

(Opened pipe)
4𝑙
λn = where n = 1,2,3 …
2n−1 1. An open pipe is one in
which both ends are
6. The frequency fn of the nth harmonic is open.
given by 2. A stationary wave is
v produced when one end
fn = (2n-1) of the pipe is disturbed
4𝑙
by a source of sound.
3. The molecules P & Q at
Example 6 both the opened ends
The length of a closed pipe is 18.0 cm. If vibrate with the largest
the speed of sound in air is 330 m s-1, find amplitude, forming an
the three lowest frequencies for the sound antinodes.
emitted when one blows across the opened 4. At the midpoint along
end of the pipe. the pipe, molecules N is not displace at
all, forming a node.
5. Increases in frequency will produce
stationary waves as shown below.

(a) Fundamental or 1st harmonic

Example 7
A pipe opened at one end and closed at the
other is with length 0.6 m. If the speed of 1
L= λ1 and λ1 = 2L
sound is 300 m s-1, calculate the two lowest 2
resonant frequencies. Therefore,
v v
f1 = =
λ1 2L

(b) 1st overtone or 2nd harmonic

Example 8
A well with vertical wall resonates with a
λ2 = L
note of 7.0 Hz. Estimate the depth of the
well if the speed of sound in air is 350 m s-1. Therefore,
v v
f2 = = = 2f1
λ2 L

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Topic 15 – Superposition AS Level

(c) 2nd overtone or 3th harmonic Stationary Waves using Microwaves

3 2
L= λ3 and λ3 = L
2 3

Therefore, 1. A source of microwaves faces a metal

v 3v reflecting plate is set up as shown to
f3 = = = 3f1
λ3 2L demonstrated stationary waves using
microwave.
Example 9 2. A small detector is placed between the
A pipe open at both ends has a length of 6.0 source and reflector.
-1
cm. If the speed of sound in air is 330 m s , 3. The reflector is moved towards or away
find the fundamental resonant frequency. from the source until the signal picked up
by the detector fluctuates regularly as it
is moved slowly back and forth.
4. The minima are nodes of the stationary
wave, while the maxima are antinodes.
5. The distance moved by the detector
1
between successive node is λ
2

Example 10
A pipe of length 0.33 m is opened at one end
and closed at the other. If the speed of
sound in air is 330 m s-1, calculate
(a) The frequencies of the 1st harmonic, f1
nd
and 2 harmonic, f2 in the closed pipe.
(b) Given that a pipe opened at both ends
has a fundamental frequency, fo equal to
f2 – f1. Find the length of the open pipe.
Example 11
Draw a standing wave on the diagram above,
label the node N and antinode A on the
standing wave.
Example 12
Stationary waves are produced between a
microwave transmitter and a metal plate. A
detector recorded zero intensity at 11
positions along a distance of 15.0 cm.
(a) What is the distance between two
adjacent nodes?
(b) Find the wavelength of the microwave.
(c) Find the frequency of the microwave.

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 Topic 15 – Superposition
Assignment
1. Diagram shows a string stretched between
two fixed points P and Q.
A vibrator is attached near end P of the
string. End Q is fixed to a wall. The vibrator
has a frequency of 50 Hz and causes a
transverse wave to travel along the string
–1
at a speed of 40 m s .
(a) (i) Calculate the wavelength of the
transverse wave on the string. [2]
(ii) Explain how this arrangement may
produce a stationary wave on the string. [2]
(b) The stationary wave produced on PQ at
one instant of time t is shown on Fig.
5.2.Each point on the string is at its
maximum displacement.
(i) On Fig. 5.2, label all the nodes with the
letter N and all the antinodes with the
letter A. [2]
(ii) Use your answer in (a)(i) to calculate
the length of string PQ. [1]
(iii) On Fig. 5.2, draw the stationary wave at
time (t + 5.0 ms). Explain your answer.
[3]
[JUN13/22/5]
8
AS Level
2. Diagram shows an arrangement for
producing stationary waves in a tube that is
closed at one end.
(a) Explain how waves from the loudspeaker
produce stationary waves in the tube.
[3]
(b) One of the stationary waves that may
be formed in the tube is represented in
diagram below,
(i) Describe the motion of the air particles
in the tube at
1. point P,
2. point S. [2]
(ii) The speed of sound in the tube is 330 m
s–1 and the frequency of the waves from
the loudspeaker is 880 Hz. Calculate the
length of the tube. [3]
[NOV12/22/4]
3. (a) A transverse progressive wave travels
along a stretched string from left to right.
The shape of part of the string at a
particular instant is shown below.
 Topic 15 – Superposition
The frequency of the wave is 15 Hz.
For this wave, determine
(i) the amplitude, [1]
(ii) the phase difference between the
points P and Q on the string, [1]
(iii) the speed of the wave. [2]
(b) The period of vibration of the wave is T.
The wave moves forward from the position
shown for a time 0.25 T. On the diagram
sketch the new position of the wave. [2]
(c) Another stretched string is used to
form a stationary wave. Part of this wave, at
a particular instant, is shown below.
The points on the string are at their
maximum displacement.
(i) State the phase difference between the
particles labelled X and Y. [1]
(ii) Explain the following terms used to
describe stationary waves on a string:
Antinode:
Node: [1]
(iii) State the number of antinodes shown
on the diagram for this wave. [1]
(iv) The period of vibration of this wave is t.
On the diagram, sketch the instant of the
stationary wave after 0.25t.
[1]
[JUN11/23/6]
4. (a) State the principle of superposition. [2]
(b) An arrangement that can be used to
determine the speed of sound in air is
shown.
AS Level
Sound waves of constant frequency are
emitted from the loudspeaker L and are
reflected from a point S on a hard surface.
The loudspeaker is moved away from S until
a stationary wave is produced.
Explain how sound waves from L give rise to
a stationary wave between L and S. [2]
(c) A microphone connected to a cathode
ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) is positioned
between L and S as shown in Fig. 6.1. The
trace obtained on the c.r.o. is shown below.
The time-base setting is 0.10 ms cm–1.
(i) Calculate the frequency of the sound
wave. [2]
(ii) The microphone is now moved towards S
along the line LS. When the microphone
is moved 6.7 cm, the trace seen on the c.r.o.
varies from a maximum amplitude to a
minimum and then back to a maximum.
1. Use the properties of stationary waves
to explain these changes in amplitude.
[1]
2. Calculate the speed of sound. [3]