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Superposition, Interference and Diffraction

Standing waves, nodes and antinodes

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit AS 2

Overview

Standing wave and distance between a node and the antinode next to it.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Numbers

The nodes of a standing wave are 0.30 m apart and the vibration frequency is 250 Hz. Calculate the speed of the progressive waves.

Numbers

A string 1.0 m long fixed at both ends vibrates with three nodes and two antinodes. Calculate the wavelength.

Key term

State the conditions required for a standing wave to be produced.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a standing wave?

    Model answer

    A standing wave is a pattern of vibration produced when two progressive waves of the same frequency and similar amplitude travel through each other in opposite directions, in which the positions of maximum and zero amplitude stay fixed.

  2. 2

    State the conditions required for a standing wave to be produced.

    Model answer

    Two progressive waves of the same type, the same frequency and similar amplitude must travel in opposite directions through the same region, and in practice this is usually achieved by reflecting a wave back along its own path.

  3. 3

    Define a node.

    Model answer

    A node is a point on a standing wave where the two waves always arrive in antiphase, so the displacement is zero at all times.

  4. 4

    Define an antinode.

    Model answer

    An antinode is a point on a standing wave where the two waves always arrive in phase, so the amplitude of the oscillation there is a maximum.

  5. 5

    What is the distance between two adjacent nodes on a standing wave?

    Model answer

    It is half a wavelength of the progressive waves that formed the standing wave.

  6. 6

    What is the distance between a node and the antinode next to it?

    Model answer

    It is a quarter of a wavelength.

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