Q11-Q Standing waves can be said to be... [FREE SOLUTION]

Chapter 12: Q11-Q (page 328)

Standing waves can be said to be due to 鈥渋nterference in space,鈥� whereas beats can be said to be due to 鈥渋nterference in time.鈥� Explain.

Short Answer

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The wave pattern of standing waves does not travel, and the node locations and the amplitude of waves are fixed in space. Therefore, the interference is termed as 鈥渋nterference in space鈥�.

The wave pattern created by beats does not travel. For the wave, the amplitude is zero, and after some time, half of its period, it will be maximum. Therefore, the interference is described as 鈥渋nterference in time鈥�.

Step by step solution

Explanation for why standing waves are said to be due to “interference in space”

The wave pattern of standing waves does not travel. The node locations are constant, and the amplitude for the wave is the same all the time.

Standing waves are said to be due to interference in space because when two sets of progressive wave trains of the same type having the same amplitude and same time period/frequency/wavelength traveling with the same speed along the straight line in opposite directions superimpose a new set of waves are formed, and these are standing waves, the resultant waves do not propagate in any direction, nor is there any transfer of energy in the medium.

Explaination for why standing waves are said to be due to “interference in time”

The wave pattern created by beats does not travel from one place to another. At any point in time, a point will have zero amplitude, and half a beat period later, the amplitude will be maximum.

Therefore, the interference is described as 鈥渋nterference in time鈥�. In order to experience constructive interference to destructive interference, the position must be fixed.