Unit 14 · Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
Chapter 14.3
Superposition, Beats, and Standing Waves
Two waves can pass straight through each other and come out unchanged, yet while they overlap they can cancel to nothing. A guitar string is that cancellation frozen in place.
in preparation · lesson 21 of 27
By the end
- 01Superpose overlapping pulses and waves to predict constructive and destructive interference
- 02Compute a beat frequency from two nearby frequencies
- 03Describe standing waves on strings and in open and closed pipes by nodes, antinodes, and harmonics
- 04Relate length, wavelength, frequency, and wave speed for each harmonic