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What exactly is a
‘Standing Wave?’ Think back to your high school physics class. Sound, like
all forms of energy, moves in waves. Waves consist of Crests (the highest
point of the wave) and Troughs (the lowest point). When a wave meets a
surface, it reflects back towards to original source. This means that the
wave will meet itself at varying points along its journey. When it meets
itself, some interesting (and for us, problematic) things can occur. First:
when a crest meets a crest, it doubles the size of the crest (known in
physics as a Super-Crest.) When a trough meets a trough, again, it doubles
in size (a Super-Trough.) When the source of the wave is fixed (doesn’t
move) and the surface is fixed (ditto) the wave and its reflection become
finite. This means that the super-crests and super-troughs are now fixed
in place in your room. This is why when you move round your room, you will
here really loud bass in some places, where in others it seems to disappear
completely. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the standing wave…
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