Standing Waves on a String
When waves reflect and interfere, stable patterns form with nodes and antinodes. Standing waves are central to musical instruments and resonance.
Nodes and antinodes
Nodes are points that stay still; antinodes oscillate with maximum amplitude. The number of segments depends on frequency and boundary conditions.
Resonance and harmonics
At resonant frequencies, integer multiples of half-wavelengths fit on the string. Each harmonic adds another antinode between fixed ends.
See resonance in the lab
Drive a string at different frequencies in the simulation and watch standing patterns form with live wavelength and speed readings.