Standing waves are caused by the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions along the same medium. Here's a step-by-step explanation:
1. When a wave traveling in one direction meets a wave traveling in the opposite direction with the same frequency, wavelength, and amplitude, they interfere with each other.
2. The interference results in certain points along the medium where the two waves always meet in the same phase, creating areas of constructive interference where the amplitudes add up.
3. These points of constructive interference are called antinodes, and they correspond to the peaks and troughs of the resulting standing wave.
4. Conversely, there are points where the two waves always meet out of phase, causing destructive interference and resulting in nodes, where the amplitude of the standing wave is always zero.
5. The continuous interference between the incoming and reflected waves creates a pattern of nodes and antinodes that appears to be stationary, hence the name "standing wave."
In summary, a standing wave is formed when two waves of the same frequency and amplitude traveling in opposite directions interfere with each other along a medium, resulting in nodes and antinodes that do not move.
