ACOUSTIC EDUCATION What is a standing wave?
The concept of standing waves is directly dependent on the reflection of sound waves. Assume two flat, solid parallel walls separated by a given space or distance. A sound source between them radiates sound at a specific frequency. The wavelength strikes the right wall and is reflected back towards the noise source, going past it and then striking the left wall where it is again reflected back towards the noise source and onto the right wall and so on. This sound wave is bouncing back and forth between the parallel walls like a ping-pong ball. The two waves interact to form a standing wave. Only the standing wave, the interaction of these two waves meeting, is stationary. The frequency of the radiated sound is such as to establish this resonant condition between the wavelength of the sound and the distance between the parallel walls. The pertinent point at that moment is that this phenomenon is entirely dependent on the reflection of sound between the parallel, reflective wall surfaces.
Acoustical Solutions, Inc. 2852 East Parham Rd., Richmond, VA 23228 Ph: 800-782-5742 fax: 804-346-8808 www.acousticalsolutions.com