STANDING WAVES

for General Physics 1 - SHS (STEM)

Quarter 2 / Week 5.b
 FOREWORD

There are times when waves do not seem to move but rather,
they just vibrate in place. We can see unmoving waves on the
surface of a pitcher of water in a refrigerator, for example. Vibrations
from the refrigerator motor create waves on the water that oscillate
up and down but do not seem to move across the surface. Take a
bowl of soup and place it on a common box fan. Vibrations from the
fan will produce circular standing waves in the the bowl of soup. The
waves are formed by the superposition of two or more traveling
waves, for two identical waves moving in opposite directions. If the
two waves have the same amplitude and wavelength, then they
alternate between constructive and destructive interference. The
result looks like a wave standing in place which is called a standing
wave. Sometimes when we vibrate a string, or cord it's possible to get
it to vibrate in a manner such that you're generating a wave, but the
wave doesn't propagate. It just sits there vibrating up and down in
place. Such a wave is called a standing wave and must be seen to
be appreciated.

Previously you have studied about waves, superposition of

waves as well as wave interference. In this module we will study about
standing waves and the different ideas underlying the concept.

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 Lesson

2 STANDING WAVES
OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain standing waves.
2. Apply the condition for standing waves through problem solving.
3. Relate the frequency (source dependent and wavelength).

LEARNING COMPTENCY:
Apply the condition for standing waves.

I. WHAT HAPPENED
PRE-ACTIVITIES/PRE-TEST:

1. The diagram on the right shows a wave at a particular moment in time as it

travels along a rope in the direction shown. Which one of the following
statements is true about the point P on the rope?
(a) It is moving upwards. (b) It is moving downwards.
(c) It is moving to the right. (d) It is momentarily at rest.

2. A standing wave is generated on a string which is fixed at both ends, and

vibrates at its fundamental frequency. The tension of the string is now increased
and a new standing wave vibrating at its fundamental frequency is generated.
Which one of the following statements about the change in the properties of
the wave is correct
(a) The wave speed increases and the wavelength increases.
(b) The wave speed increases and the frequency increases.
(c) The wave speed decreases and the wavelength decreases.
(d) The wave speed decreases and the frequency decreases.

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 3. Two strings, one thick and the other thin, are connected to form one long string. A
wave travels along the string and passes the point where the two strings are
connected. Which of the following does not change at that point:
(a) frequency (b) propagation speed (c) amplitude (d) wavelength
4. In a standing wave
(a) the nodes are positions of maximum amplitude.
(b) all points of the wave vibrate with the same amplitude.
(c) the distance between successive nodes is one wavelength.
(d) all the points between a pair of nodes vibrate in phase.
5. Waves that are trapped between boundaries
(a) amplitude (b) frequency (c) wavelength (d) standing waves
6. Parts of the standing wave where the longest amplitude occurs
(a) antinodes (b) nodes (c) wavelength (d) frequency
7. A standing wave, also known as _________
(a)nodes (b) Interference (c) stationary waves (d)moving wave
8. Points along the medium are known as ________
(a)nodes (b) Interference (c) stationary waves (d)moving wave
9. It is formed as the result of the perfectly timed interference of two waves passing
through the same medium.
(a)amplitude (b) frequency (c) wavelength (d) standing waves
10. These are produced at locations where destructive interference occurs.
(a)amplitude (b) frequency (c) wavelength (d) nodes

II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

DISCUSSION:
A standing wave pattern is an interference phenomenon. It is formed as the result
of the perfectly timed interference of two waves passing through the same medium.
A standing wave pattern is not actually a wave; rather it is the pattern resulting from the
presence of two waves of the same frequency with different directions of travel within
the same medium.

One characteristic of every standing wave pattern is that there are points along
the medium that appear to be standing still. These points, sometimes described as
points of no displacement, are referred to as nodes. There are other points along the
medium that undergo vibrations between a large positive and large negative
displacement. These are the points that undergo the maximum displacement during
each vibrational cycle of the standing wave. In a sense, these points are the opposite

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of nodes, and so they are called antinodes. A standing wave pattern always consists
of an alternating pattern of nodes and antinodes. The nodes and antinodes are
labeled on the diagram. When a standing wave pattern is established in a medium,
the nodes and the antinodes are always located at the same position along the
medium; they are standing still. It is this characteristic that has earned the pattern the
name standing wave.
The positioning of the nodes and antinodes in a standing wave pattern can be
explained by focusing on the interference of the two waves. The nodes are produced
at locations where destructive interference occurs. For instance, nodes form at
locations where a crest of one wave meets a trough of a second wave; or a half-crest
of one wave meets a half-trough of a second wave; or a quarter-crest of one wave
meets a quarter-trough of a second wave; etc. Antinodes, on the other hand, are
produced at locations where constructive interference occurs. For instance, if a crest of
one wave meets a crest of a second wave, a point of large positive displacement
results. Similarly, if a trough of one wave meets a trough of a second wave, a point of
large negative displacement results. Antinodes are always vibrating back and forth
between these points of large positive and large negative displacement; this is
because during a complete cycle of vibration, a crest will meet a crest; and then one-
half cycle later, a trough will meet a trough. Because antinodes are vibrating back and
forth between a large positive and large negative displacement, a diagram of a
standing wave is sometimes depicted by drawing the shape of the medium at an
instant in time and at an instant one-half vibrational cycle later. This is done in the
diagram below.

Nodes and antinodes should not be confused with crests and troughs. When the
motion of a traveling wave is discussed, it is customary to refer to a point of large
maximum displacement as a crest and a point of large negative displacement as a
trough. These represent points of the disturbance that travel from one location to
another through the medium. An antinode on the other hand is a point on the
medium that is staying in the same location. Furthermore, an antinode vibrates back
and forth between a large upward and a large downward displacement. And finally,
nodes and antinodes are not actually part of a wave. Recall that a standing wave is
not actually a wave but rather a pattern that results from the interference of two or
more waves. Since a standing wave is not technically a wave, an antinode is not

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 technically a point on a wave. The nodes and antinodes are merely unique points on
the medium that make up the wave pattern.
A variety of standing waves can be produced by shaking the rope at different
frequencies.

The wave speed is given as

Where T=tension of the string

µ= linear density of string(mass per
length)

The easiest standing wave to produce has one segment, the lowest frequency
possible called fundamental frequency f1 or first harmonic
L= distance between two nodes
λ=twice the distance between two nodes
λ=2L

When n=2, the frequency is called the 1st overtone f2 or 2nd harmonic

L/2=twice the distance between two nodes

=2(L/2)=L

V= f2=2f1

When n=3, the frequency is called 2nd overtone f3 or 3rd harmonic

L/3=twice the distance between two nodes

=2(L/3)

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Sample Problems:
1. The 3-m string tied at one end and the other end is connected to the vibrator. When the
vibrator is vibrated, the string formed a stationary wave, as shown in the figure below.

Determine the position of the 5th antinode from the fixed end.
Solution:
Distance between two nodes = 3 meters / 5 = 3/5 meters.
The distance between the first node and the fixed end = 3/5 meters
The distance between the second node and the fixed end = 2 (3/5 meters) = 6/5 meters
The distance between the third node and the fixed end = 3 (3/5 meters) = 9/5 meters
The distance between the fourth node and the fixed end = 4 (3/5 meters) = 12/5 meters
Distance between node and antinode = 1/2 (3/5 meters) = 3/10 meters.
Distance between the fifth antinode and the fixed end = distance between the fourth
node and the fixed end + distance between node and antinode = 12/5 + 3/10 = 24/10 +
3/10 = 27/10 = 2.7 meters.

2. As shown in the figure below, one end connected to the vibrator and another end is fixed.
If string’s length is 1.5 meters, find the distance between the fourth node and vibrator.
Solution :
Distance between two nodes = 1.5 meters / 11 = 1.5 / 11 meters

Distance between the first node and vibrator = 1.5 / 11 meters

Distance between the second node and vibrator = 2 (1.5 / 11 meters) = 3/11 meters
Distance between the third node and vibrator = 3 (1.5 / 11 meters) = 4.5 / 11 meters
Distance between the fourth node and vibrator = 4 (1.5 / 11 meters) = 0.54 m
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3. A string has both ends kept fixed, produces a fundamental tone with a frequency of 420
Hz. Determine the third overtone.
Known :
The fundamental frequency (f1) = 420 Hz
Both ends are kept fixed.
Wanted : the third overtone
Solution :
First overtone (f2) = 2 f1 = 2 (420 Hz) = 840 Hz
Second overtone (f3) = 3 f1 = 3 (420 Hz) = 1260 Hz
Third overtone (f4) = 4 f1 = 4 (420 Hz) = 1680 Hz

4. The wavelength of the first overtone of a string is 40 cm. If the speed of sound wave in air
is 340 m/s, determine the third overtone.
Known :
Wavelength of the first overtone (λ) = 40 cm = 0.4 meters
The speed of the sound wave in air (v) = 340 meters/second
Wanted: frequency of the third overtone
Solution :
Below is a figure of a standing wave on a string with both ends is kept fixed. First,
calculate the length of the string using the wavelength of the first overtone. After that, before
calculating the frequency of the third overtone, first, calculate the wavelength of the third
overtone.
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 Wavelength of the first overtone : Wavelength of the third overtone :
Length of string (L) = 2. ½ λ L=2λ
Length of string (L) = λ 0.4 = 2 λ
Length of string (L) = 0.4 meters λ = 0.4 / 2
λ = 0.2 meters
Frequency of the third overtone :
f=v/λ
f = 340 : 0.2
f = 1700 Hertz

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED Task: 10 pts

Solve the following correctly.
TRY THIS OUT! 1. A wire under tension
vibrates with a fundamental
1.Find the first four harmonics for a string
that is 3m long, has a linear density of frequency of 256 Hz. What
0.0125 kg/m and is under tension of 50 N. would be the fundamental
frequency if the wire were
2.A violin is tuned to 440 Hz. The violinist half as long, twice as thick
puts a finger down on a string 1/8 of the and under ¼ the tension?
string length from the neck end. What is 2. What tension is required to
the frequency of the string when played create a standing wave
like this? with four segments in a
string 100cm long weighing
0.50 g if it is attached to a
EVALUATION/POST TEST: vibrator with frequency of
100Hz?
1. A closed organ pipe has
a. a node at the closed end and an antinode at the open end
b. an antinode at the closed end and a node at the open end.
c. a node at each end.
d. an antinode at each end.
2. If you fill an organ pipe with helium instead of air, the fundamental frequency will
a. increase b. decrease. c. stay the same d. equal
3. When you drive your car toward a state patrol car with a constant speed, the
frequency of the radar returning to the patrol car
a. continually increases as you get closer.
b. continually decreases as you get closer.
c. is higher and constant.
d. is lower and constant.
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4.Which harmonic is shown?

a. 1st b. 2nd c. 3rd d. 4th

5. A standing wave:
a. transports energy but does not move. b. stores energy.
c. is composed of a single travelling wave. d. makes a loud noise.
6.The distance traveled by a wave in one period is called?
a. Frequency b. Period C. Speed of wave D. Wavelength
7. Which of the following is the speed of a wave traveling with a wavelength λ,
frequency f, and period T?
A. v = λ/f B. v =f/λ C. v = λ·f D. v = f·T
8. The frequency of a wave increases when the speed remains the same. What happens
to the distance between two consecutive crests?
a. it increases b. it decreases
c. stays unchanged d. it increases first and then decreases
9. Which of the following statements is true about transverse waves?
a. They always have the same frequencies
b. They always have the same velocities
c. They always have the same wavelengths
d. The particles vibrate in perpendicular direction with respect to the wave motion

10. The frequency of a wave is doubled when the wavelength remains the same. What
happens to the speed of the wave?
a. it doubles b. it quadruples
c. remains unchanged d. it is cut to one-half

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 REFERENCES

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/waves/Lesson-4/Formation-of-Standing-Waves
https://physics.info/waves-standing/
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/waves/Lesson-4/Nodes-and-Anti-nodes
Physics Worktext by Quianbao and Floresta.p249-251.

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

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OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

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Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

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Education Program Supervisor – (SCIENCE & MATH)

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

JANICE MANAYTAY SANDIGAN

Writer/Illustrator/Lay-out Artist
_________________________________
QUALITY ASSURANCE TEAM
ARNOLD D. ACADEMIA
ZENAIDA A. ACADEMIA
LIEZEL A. AGOR
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VICENTE B. MONGCOPA
FLORENTINA P. PASAJINGUE
THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide accessible learning
modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The contents of this module are carefully
researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were
clearly instructed to give credits to information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to
copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

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 SYNOPSIS
ANSWERS KEY
Knowledge on standing is very significant because it
Pre-test
gives us a thorough knowledge on standing waves.
1.a 6.d
This SLK aims to gives us more ideas as to what will 2.a 7.c
happen when wave encounters interference 3.c 8.b
constructive and destructive interference. 4.c 9.d
5.a 10.ac
Explore this SLK and have fun doing the Try this out!
1. 10.54 Hz
different activities provided. 2. 3520 Hz
Task
1.256 Hz
2.1.25x10 5 dynes

Post test
1.a 6.a
2.b 7.c
3.a 8.a
4.d 9.d
5.d 10.d

THE WRITER

JANICE MANAYTAY SANDIGAN is a Junior High School

teacher of Don Emilio Macias Memorial National High
School. Graduated at Negros Oriental State University –
Main Campus, Dumaguete City with a degree of Bachelor
of Secondary Education, major in General Science and
.
finished Complete Academic Requirement (CAR) for
MAEd-Physics at University of Negros Occidental-
Recoletos, Bacolod City.

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