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Chapter 15

Standing waves and resonance

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In this chapter you will learn how to:

●explain the formation of standing waves using superposition

●explain the differences between standing waves and travelling waves

●describe nodes and antinodes

●work with standing waves on strings and in pipes

●solve problems with standing waves on strings and in pipes

●understand the effect of damping on the oscillations of a system

●identify how a system responds as the frequency of an external force varies

●recognize the importance of resonance.

GUIDING questions

How is a standing wave different from a travelling wave?