Standing Waves

Stationary interference patterns of fixed nodes and antinodes formed by waves reflecting within strings and air columns.

Core Principles & Analysis

• A string fixed at both ends supports wavelengths of 2L/n, generating its harmonic series.
• Nodes are points of zero displacement while antinodes vibrate at maximum amplitude.
• Cylindrical pipes closed at one end, like the clarinet, resonate only at odd-numbered harmonics.