What are the differences between standing waves and progressive waves?

Energy is not transferred in a standing waves whereas in progressive waves energy is transferred in the direction the wave is travelling in.In standing waves, nodes and antinodes exist which are the points of displacement and 0 displacement respectively. Nodes are therefore points of maximum displacement and antinodes are points of 0 displacement. In progressive waves however, all points have the same amplitude.

ZW
Answered by Zimeng W. Physics tutor

17287 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A student studied how a few parameters of the electromagnetic radiation affects the I-V(current-voltage) curve of photoelectricity. By increasing one parameter he saw that the saturation current has risen. Which parameter it was?


How does the strong nuclear force between two nucleons varies with separation of the nucleons. Please detail the range over which the force acts.


What is the maximum speed of an electron emitted from a metal surface with a threshold frequency of 5.706*10^(14) by light with a wavelength of 350nm?


A light is shone through a diffraction grating of slit spacing 4.5x10^5 lines per metre. The incident wavelength is 650nm. Find the angle produced by the incident light and the 2nd order maximum.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning