PHYSICS CONNECTION
Stationary waves are a superposition pattern
Waves travelling in opposite directions can superpose to form fixed nodes and antinodes. This is a pattern of oscillation, not a wave profile travelling along the medium.
Adjacent nodes are λ/2 apart
Follow the reasoning
- Identify the incident and reflected waves.
- Find points of persistent cancellation and reinforcement.
- Use the node spacing to determine wavelength.
OFFICIAL OCR QUESTIONS
Try it in a past paper 2
Open the question, then use its mark scheme to check your work.
Question 23(c)
Explain how stationary waves form in a microwave oven and cause uneven heating.
Question 22
Explain a stationary sound wave and improve a speed-of-sound measurement.
A curated collection checked against the question papers and mark schemes; not a complete past-paper catalogue. Links open official OCR PDFs in a new tab.
ORIGINAL PHYSICSUK QUESTIONS
Put the ideas to work
More practice is on its way
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Specification outcomes (6)
- 4.4.3(a)(i) State the principle of superposition of waves.
- 4.4.3(b) Use graphical methods to illustrate superposition of waves.
- 4.4.3(d) Explain constructive and destructive interference in terms of path and phase difference.
- 4.4.4(a) Describe stationary (standing) waves using microwaves, stretched strings and air columns.
- 4.4.4(c) Compare stationary and progressive waves.
- 4.4.4(d) Define nodes and antinodes.