Question

What is a travelling wave and a standing wave? What are the differences between both of them?

Answer 1

An example for a traveling wave, lets say u drop a small stone in a pool of water, a wave will form and travel in the water. If u will drop stones in the same place (or tap the water) with a constant rythem, the waves coming out will have a defined frequency and wave leangth. If u measure at some point in the water, the height of the water as time goes by, u will measure the height of water going up and down in a defined rythem and frequency (Simple harmonic motion!)


In a standing wave like the string of a guitar there are certain points that stay witout movment (nods), and other points with a maximal amplitude (anti nods)
this doesn't happen in a traveling wave, in which all points have the same movement only with a different phase.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S7-PDF6Vzc (a standing wave in a string)
also In a standing wave all points between two nods have the same phase, but a differenet amplitude.
I hope this is helpfull and not too long, and youtube is always a good plce to learn
good luck and tnx!

Answer 2

The phase of a travelling wave depends on position; the phase of a standing wave does not depend on position.

Answer 3

I think i am too naive to understand this. Can i say that two travelling waves in opposite direction can make a standing wave?

Answer 4

You you can, but in order to obtain a 'pure' standing wave, your two waves must have the same wavelength and the same amplitude.

Answer 5

I meant "Yes, you can!"