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A standing wave, also known as a stationary wave, is a wave
that remains in a constant position.
Phenomenon
This phenomenon can occur because the medium is moving in the opposite direction to the wave, or it can arise in a stationary
medium as a result of interference between two waves travelling in opposite directions.
Mediums
As an example of the first type, under certain meteorological conditions standing waves form in the atmosphere in the lee of
mountain ranges. Such waves are often exploited by glider pilots.
Movement
As an example of the second type, in telecommunications, USA
Federal Standard 1037C defines a standing wave
in a transmission line as a wave in which the distribution of
current, voltage, or field strength is formed by the superposition
of two waves propagating in opposite directions, and which wave is characterized by a series of nodes (minima) and anti-nodes
(maxima) at fixed points along the transmission line. Such a standing wave may be formed when a wave is transmitted into one end
of a transmission line and is reflected from the other end by an impedance
mismatch, i.e., discontinuity, such as an open or a short.
See also
- List of wave topics : Wave, Standing wave ratio,
Amphidromic point, Standing wave ratio, Voltage standing wave ratio, Gliding, Trumpet, Modelocking
- List of electronics
topics : Impedance, Federal Standard 1037C, Normal mode,
Cavity resonator, Characteristic impedance, Cymatics
- People: Nikola Tesla
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