Wave Interference and Standing Waves Worksheet
1. On the diagram to the right:
a. Label the nodes and antinodes.
b. What is its wavelength if the distance between nodes is 2 m? ________
c. If the person is shaking her hand up-and-down 12 times per second, what is the wave
speed?
In each set of waves below, the two waves at the left represent two waves traveling at the same
time.
2. In this example, combine the waves to show CONSTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE.
3. In this example, combine the waves to show DESTRUCTIVE INTERFERANCE.
4. In the top example, would the interference produces a [louder / softer] sound.
5. In the bottom example, would the interference produces a [louder / softer] sound.
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Standing Waves
A standing wave pattern results in a string, rope or snaky as a result of the interaction between the
waves introduced on one end with the reflection of the waves returning from the opposite end. At
certain frequencies, a pattern will be established within the medium in which there are positions that
always appear to be stationary. Midway between each of these stationary positions are positions
which are undergoing rapid motion between a maximum positive and maximum negative
displacement from their resting position.
1. The positions along the medium that appear to be stationary are known as ________________.
They are points of no displacement.
2. The positions along the medium that are undergoing rapid motion between a maximum positive
and maximum negative displacement are known as ______________________________. They
are the opposite of the points of no displacement.
3. Label the nodes (N) and antinodes (AN) in the following standing wave patterns.
4. In each of the two diagrams of standing wave patterns, count the number of nodes and
antinodes.
5. Each node is separated by the adjacent node by a distance that is equal to _______ wavelength.
6. Draw the standing wave pattern that would result on the string below if the string vibrated with
the first, second, and third harmonic wave patterns. State the relationship between length and
wavelength for each of the three patterns.
7. Suppose that the string in the above diagram is 1.2 meters long. Determine the wavelength of
the waves shown in each of these three patterns.
1st Harmonic 2nd Harmonic 3rd Harmonic
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8. The string at the right is 1.5 meters long and is vibrating as the first
harmonic. The string vibrates up and down with 33 cycles in 10.0
seconds. Determine the frequency, period, wavelength and speed for this
wave.
9. The string at the right is 6.0 meters long and is vibrating as the third
harmonic. The string vibrates up and down with 45 cycles in 10.0 seconds.
Determine the frequency, period, wavelength and speed for this wave.
10. The string at the right is 5.0 meters long and is vibrating as the fourth
harmonic. The string vibrates up and down with 48 cycles in 20.0 seconds.
Determine the frequency, period, wavelength and speed for this wave.
11. The string at the right is 8.2 meters long and is vibrating as the fifth
harmonic. The string vibrates up and down with 21 cycles in 5.0
seconds. Determine the frequency, period, wavelength and speed for
this wave.
