A standing wave vibrates at its fourth harmonic. How many nodes will be in the wave pattern?

1 Answer
Aug 2, 2016

#5#

Explanation:

The equation for finding the wavelength of a standing wave is

#lambda# = #(2 L)/(n)#

where n represents the harmonic of the wave

Since #n# = #4# the wavelength is #lambda# = #(L)/(2)#

Isolate to solve for #L# and you get #2# #lambda# = #L#

This means you have a string whose length produces 2 waves

www.chemistry.wustl.edu
source:
http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~coursedev/Online%20tutorials/waves/4thharmonic

The nodes for this wave will be 5 since nodes are where no displacement occurs.