BRAINCAKEStationary Waves on a Rope
Progressive waves transfer energy from one place to another.
Stationary Waves are formed when two progressive waves pass through each other.
Stationary waves that vibrate freely do not transfer energy to the surroundings.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
Key terms in this lesson
- Phase difference
- The difference, measured in radians or degrees, between the phases of two oscillating points or waves.
- Node
- A fixed point on a stationary wave where the amplitude is always zero.
- Antinode
- A point on a stationary wave, midway between adjacent nodes, where the amplitude is a maximum.
- Coherent
- Waves are coherent if they have the same frequency and a constant phase difference.
- Interference
- The formation of points of cancellation and reinforcement where two coherent waves overlap and superpose.