Standing Waves

Standing Waves

Standing Waves form because of two wave phenomena:

Standing Waves

Standing Waves form because of two wave phenomena:

http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/SWR/SWR.html
Standing Waves

Standing Waves form because of two wave phenomena:

http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/SWR/SWR.html
Standing Waves on a String

The speed of a wave on a string is dependent on

tension and mass per unit length.
The speed does not depend on the frequency.

How is the pitch (frequency) of a guitar string

changed?

http://www.edinburghguitarrepair.co.uk/
Standing Waves on a String
Strings are typically fixed at each end (Two Fixed boundaries).
n Length of String (L) Wavelength (λ)
First Harmonic Frequency (fundamental)
1

Second Harmonic
2 But can
sometimes be
free at each end
Third Harmonic or
3 fixed at one end
and free at the
other.
Standing Waves on a String Example
A 46 cm long guitar string is vibrated in its lowest frequency.
State the wavelength of the wave. The lowest frequency is
220 Hz. Calculate the speed of the wave in the string. 
Standing Waves on a String Example
The 46 cm string is shortened to 32 cm by pushing it
against a fret on the neck of the guitar. State the speed
of the wave in the string. Calculate the new first
harmonic frequency of the string.
Standing Waves in an Air Column

The speed of sound in an ideal gas is dependent only

on its temperature.

A bugle has no “keys” or valves. How does a

musician change the pitch playing a bugle?

How do the keys or valves in a trumpet

change the pitch heard (be specific)?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bugle_logo3.png
Standing Waves in an Air Column
In a column that is open at both ends (Two Free boundaries)
n Length of Air Column (L) Wavelength (λ)
First Harmonic Frequency (fundamental)
1

Second Harmonic
2

Third Harmonic
3
Standing Waves in an Air Column Example
A bugle can be treated as an open at each end column of air.
If a bugle were straightened out it would be 1.25 m long. The
speed of sound in air is 340. m s-1. Determine the 3 lowest
harmonic frequencies possible with a bugle.
Standing Waves in an Air Column Example
Calculate the length of a column of air in a trombone that
plays a fundamental frequency of 160 Hz when in air with a
speed of sound of 320 m s-1.
In a column that is open at one and closed at the other
(One Free and one Fixed boundary)
n Length of Air Column (L) Wavelength (λ)
First Harmonic Frequency (fundamental)
1

Third Harmonic
3

Fifth Harmonic
5
Standing Waves in an Air Column Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpAUNtKLIAs
Standing Waves in an Air Column Example
A 2.5 m long foghorn with one closed end is used to warn
ships. The speed of sound in air is 330 m s-1. Calculate the
lowest frequency the foghorn emits.
Standing Waves in an Air Column Example
Determine the length of the foghorn needed to produce a
pitch of 80. Hz with the same speed of sound.
Standing Waves in an Air Column Example
A 440 Hz tuning fork is used with a column of helium gas to
determine the speed of sound in helium gas. If the spaces
between harmonic lengths are 110 cm, calculate the speed of
sound in He.
Standing Waves in an Air Column Example
The frequency of a tuning fork is unknown. Describe a
method involving a column closed at one end and open at the
other that can be used to determine its frequency.

http://www.uq.edu.au/_School_Science_Lessons/UNPh26.1.html