The distance between two consecutive nodes in a stationary wave is

  • A. one wavelength
  • B. half a wavelength
  • C. a quarter of a wavelength
  • D. two wavelengths

Explanation

Nodes recur every half wavelength, with an antinode midway between each pair, so measuring the node separation is the standard way of finding the wavelength in a laboratory experiment. The distance from a node to the neighbouring antinode is therefore a quarter of a wavelength. Doubling the node separation gives the full wavelength.

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