Stationary Waves



Stationary waves occur when two waves that meet are:

  • of the same type
  • of the same frequency
  • of the same amplitude
  • travelling in opposite directions

If two waves with amplitude A meets,

stationary+waves

Properties of stationary waves:

  • Every point bounded within two consecutive nodes is in phase with one another. (reach amplitude/equilibrium positions at the same time)
  • Points bounded within a pair of nodes are $\pi$ $(180^{o})$  out of phase with points bounded within the next neighbouring pairs.
  • There is no net energy transfer from one end of the wave to the other. The two waves interfering are identical and hence transfer equal amount of energy from one side to the other.
  • No observable propagation of wave.

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