A simple graphical method for calculating the standing wave frequencies on a rectangular membrane

Authors

Joseph D. Romano, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Richard H. Price

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2020

Abstract

In introductory physics courses, simple arguments based on traveling waves on a string are used to relate the frequency of standing waves to boundary conditions, e.g., the fixed ends of the string. Here, we extend that approach to two-dimensional waves such as the oscillations of a rectangular membrane with edges fixed at the boundary. This results in a graphical method that uses only simple geometry and is suitable for explaining two-dimensional standing-wave oscillations to non-science majors, e.g., in a physics of sound and music class.

Comments

Copyright 2020 American Association of Physics Teachers

Recommended Citation

Romano, Joseph D., and Richard H. Price. "A simple graphical method for calculating the standing wave frequencies on a rectangular membrane." American Journal of Physics 88.8 (2020): 605-611. https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0001299

Publication Title

American Journal of Physics

DOI

10.1119/10.0001299