How are nodes and antinodes detected in a microwave stationary wave experiment?

A probe detector is moved along the path and detects intensity maxima (antinodes) and minima (nodes).

On a graph of a stationary wave, how are nodes and antinodes represented?

Nodes are shown as points of zero displacement and antinodes as points of maximum displacement.

How does the amplitude of oscillation differ between a progressive wave and a stationary wave?

In a progressive wave all points oscillate with the same amplitude; in a stationary wave amplitude varies from zero at nodes to maximum at antinodes.

How does the phase relationship between points differ in progressive and stationary waves?

In a progressive wave the phase changes continuously along the wave; in a stationary wave all points between adjacent nodes oscillate in phase with each other.

What is the separation between adjacent nodes in a stationary wave?

The separation between adjacent nodes equals λ/2, where λ is the wavelength of the progressive wave.

OCR A-Level Physics A H556

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Node spacing, amplitude and phase in stationary waves

3 things to know
Papers 2 and 3

Overview

Recall questions on detecting nodes and antinodes, how amplitude and phase differ between stationary and progressive waves, and why adjacent nodes or antinodes are half a wavelength apart.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Numbers

Define a node and an antinode on a stationary wave, and state the phase relationship between points in adjacent segments.

Numbers

In a stationary wave, what are the separations of adjacent antinodes and of adjacent nodes in terms of the wavelength of the progressive wave?

Key term

How is a stationary wave formed, what does λ represent in the formula for antinode separation, and why are adjacent antinodes half a wavelength apart?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How are nodes and antinodes detected in a microwave stationary wave experiment?
Model answer
A probe detector is moved along the path and detects intensity maxima (antinodes) and minima (nodes).
2
On a graph of a stationary wave, how are nodes and antinodes represented?
Model answer
Nodes are shown as points of zero displacement and antinodes as points of maximum displacement.
3
How does the amplitude of oscillation differ between a progressive wave and a stationary wave?
Model answer
In a progressive wave all points oscillate with the same amplitude; in a stationary wave amplitude varies from zero at nodes to maximum at antinodes.
4
How does the phase relationship between points differ in progressive and stationary waves?
Model answer
In a progressive wave the phase changes continuously along the wave; in a stationary wave all points between adjacent nodes oscillate in phase with each other.
5
What is the phase relationship between points in adjacent segments of a stationary wave?
Model answer
Points in adjacent segments (separated by a node) oscillate in antiphase, meaning they are 180° out of phase.
6
What is the separation between adjacent nodes in a stationary wave?
Model answer
The separation between adjacent nodes equals λ/2, where λ is the wavelength of the progressive wave.

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