Tooltip
These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.

A level physics practical - standing waves on a string (Melde's apparatus)

This video demonstrates how standing waves on a string can be produced by using a signal generator and vibration generator (Melde’s apparatus).

Both nodes (zero displacement) and anti-nodes (maximum displacement) are created at different frequencies.  The distance between nodes is given as 1/2λ.

Show health and safety information

Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.

Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.