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Positioned in between every node is a point that undergoes maximum displacement from a positive position to a negative position. These points of no displacement are referred to as nodes. With precise timing, reflected vibrations from the opposite end of the medium will interfere with vibrations introduced into the medium in such a manner that there are points that always appear to be standing still. If the timing is not precise, then a regular and repeating wave pattern will not be discerned within the medium - a harmonic does not exist at such a frequency. These frequencies and their associated wave patterns are referred to as harmonics.Īs discussed earlier in Lesson 4, the production of standing wave patterns demand that the introduction of crests and troughs into the medium be precisely timed. Each frequency is associated with a different standing wave pattern. There are several frequencies with which the snakey can be vibrated to produce the patterns. Such standing wave patterns can only be produced within the medium when it is vibrated at certain frequencies. A variety of actual wave patterns could be produced, with each pattern characterized by a distinctly different number of nodes. The waves reflect off the fixed end and interfere with the waves introduced by the teacher to produce this regular and repeating pattern known as a standing wave pattern. Standing waves are often demonstrated in a Physics class using a snakey that is vibrated by the teacher at one end and held fixed at the other end by a student. These points that have the appearance of standing still are referred to as nodes. As mentioned earlier in Lesson 4, standing wave patterns are wave patterns produced in a medium when two waves of identical frequencies interfere in such a manner to produce points along the medium that always appear to be standing still.