Wave Patterns

Longitudinal Waves Transverse Waves Standing waves

Longitudinal Wave
A Longitudinal wave is a moving wave that consists of oscillations occurring parallel to the direction of energy transfer. The molecules of the medium oscillate Parallel to the direction of propagation

Examples For Longitudinal Waves

y

Mechanical Waves are waves which propagate through a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas)

Sound Waves

Sound Waves through the air A pulse through the slinky

Wave propagates through a medium

The Slinky.

Rainbow Slinky

Longitudinal Waves and Guitar Strings

Longitudinal Waves and Tuning Forks

Sound Waves and the Eardrum

Ear drum

compression

rarefaction

Transverse Waves
A transverse wave is a moving wave that consists of oscillations occurring perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

If a transverse wave is moving in the positive x-direction, its oscillations are in up and down directions that lie in the yz-plane. A transverse wave could be represented by moving a ribbon or piece of string, spread across a table, to the left and right or up and down.

Examples For Transverse Waves

y y y

The vibrations of a stretched string. Ripples in water. Electromagnetic Waves.

The molecules of the medium oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

A Wave propagates on water

Standing Waves
A standing wave, is also known as a stationary wave, is a wave that remains in a constant position.

The Principle Of Wave Superposition

The net amplitude at each point is the sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves.
combined waveform wave 1 wave 2 Two waves in phase Two waves 180 out of phase

"Superposition of almost plane waves (diagonal lines) from a distant source and waves from the wake of the ducks. Linearity holds only approximately in water."

Standing Wave Formation

Standing waves demonstration

Melde Experiment

Standing wave On a String

Harmonics On a String

Reflection of a Pulse at a Fixed End

Reflection of a Pulse at a Fixed End

Reflection of a Pulse at a Free End

Reflection of a Pulse at a Free End

Transmission of a Pulse Across a Boundary from Less to More Dense

Transmitted Pulse A Less Dense to a More Dense Medium

Transmission of a Pulse Across a Boundary from More to Less Dense

Patterns for the first several Harmonics

Harmonic # of Nodes # of Antinodes Pattern 1st 2 1

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

nth

n+1

--

Standing Waves on a String

First Harmonic

Standing Waves on a String

Second Harmonic

Standing Waves on a String

Third Harmonic

Standing Waves on a String

Fourth Harmonic

Standing Waves on a String

Fifth Harmonic