Stationary Waves

• A stationary wave is a pattern of disturbances where energy is not propagated
• The wave profile of a stationary wave does not propagate
• Both waves must have the same frequency and wavelength to form a stationary wave
• 1/2 of a cycle later means wave is flipped
• 1/4 of a cycle later means zero displacement
• Stationary waves are formed when an incident wave reflects and meets the next wave, overlapping and interfering, forming a stationary wave with nodes at areas of destructive interference and antinodes at areas of constructive interference
• The distance between two nodes is λ/2
• All points between nodes oscillate in phase
• All points either side of a node oscillate in antiphase
• Progressive waves transfer energy

  Stationary waves do not transfer energy
• Every point on a progressive wave has the same amplitude

  There is constant variation in amplitude on a stationary wave