Standing Waves

Overview

Link to Experience: https://play.phenomena.app/player/HQHpu1t0REI4hGeS2PC8

Topics: physics, waves, standing waves, frequency

Grades: 10-12

Standards:

Duration to complete: 5-10 minutes

Learning outcome: Students will understand what standing waves are and why they happen.

In the Classroom

Pre-Experience (Things to Look Out For):

• What is a wave?

• How can we analyze waves? Define amplitude, wavelength, period.

• Do you know what causes ocean waves to form?

• Where in everyday life do waves show up, besides the ocean? What is the same between all of these types of waves?

• What happens when a wave hits a wall?

• What do you think would happen if two waves ran into each other?

Post-Experience (Things to Think About):

• What is the difference between a wide and narrow wave? Which moves faster?

• What do standing waves look like in those cases?

• In this demo, waves are in a line (one-dimensional). What do you think waves in 2d and 3d look like? Can you think of examples?