Physics SL
Physics SL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Understanding Standing Waves: Melde's Experiment Insights

Word Count Emoji
661 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Introduction - what's a standing wave? 🌊

Imagine you're at a concert. The guitars are playing, the drums are beating, but amidst all that sound, some waves simply stand still! Well, not exactly... but the waves on a guitar string when plucked? Those are standing waves! Let's dive into how they form.

Melde's experiment

  • Think of a kid playing with a jump rope tied to a wall. When they shake the rope, waves travel towards the wall, hit it, and bounce back.
  • Similarly, in Melde’s experiment, a vibration generator sends a wave down a string. At the string’s fixed end, the wave reflects back.
  • Here's the fun twist! 🌀 When the wave bounces back, it's like its evil twin – it's an inverted version of the original. In superhero terms, if the incoming wave is Batman, the reflected wave is... well, Reverse-Batman (180° out of phase).

Superhero team-up (or superposition)

  • When Batman and Reverse-Batman meet (incident and reflected waves), they might clash or team up. Most times, it’s a messy fight (disorganized string behavior).
  • But, at special frequencies, magic happens! The waves sync up, standing still yet vibrating in place. These are the "standing waves".

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IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Understanding Standing Waves: Melde's Experiment Insights

Word Count Emoji
661 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Introduction - what's a standing wave? 🌊

Imagine you're at a concert. The guitars are playing, the drums are beating, but amidst all that sound, some waves simply stand still! Well, not exactly... but the waves on a guitar string when plucked? Those are standing waves! Let's dive into how they form.

Melde's experiment

  • Think of a kid playing with a jump rope tied to a wall. When they shake the rope, waves travel towards the wall, hit it, and bounce back.
  • Similarly, in Melde’s experiment, a vibration generator sends a wave down a string. At the string’s fixed end, the wave reflects back.
  • Here's the fun twist! 🌀 When the wave bounces back, it's like its evil twin – it's an inverted version of the original. In superhero terms, if the incoming wave is Batman, the reflected wave is... well, Reverse-Batman (180° out of phase).

Superhero team-up (or superposition)

  • When Batman and Reverse-Batman meet (incident and reflected waves), they might clash or team up. Most times, it’s a messy fight (disorganized string behavior).
  • But, at special frequencies, magic happens! The waves sync up, standing still yet vibrating in place. These are the "standing waves".

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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