Standing Wave Properties

Question 1

If a wave with a crest travels towards a denser material, what will happen?

Answer 1

The wave will be reflected with a phase difference of 180 degrees, forming a trough.

Question 2

How is a standing wave formed, and what properties do both waves share in common?

Answer 2

When a transmitted wave of equal frequency, speed, and amplitude to a reflected wave superposes with it.

Question 3

When are particles in phase for a standing wave?

Answer 3

When they are on either side of an even amount of nodes, or between two nodes.

Question 4

When are particles in anti phase in a standing wave?

Answer 4

When they are on either side of a node.

Question 5

How can the wavelength be found using a microwave transmitter, probe, and metal reflector?

Answer 5

Move the probe between the transmitter and reflector, and increase the distance. Measure the distance between the two maximum volumes, and multiply by two to find the wavelength.

Question 6

For frequency, is this always the same for each particle in standing waves and progressive waves?

Answer 6

Standing waves : This is the same for all vibrating particles, except at nodes where vibration is 0.
Progressive waves: All particles vibrate with the same frequency.

Question 7

For amplitude, is this always the same for each particle in standing waves and progressive waves?

Answer 7

Standing waves: This varies between 0 at nodes and the maximum at antinodes.
Progressive waves: This is the same for all particles.