alleryStart learning →What is a standing wave?
AA wave that travels forward but loses amplitude
BA wave that varies in amplitude but does not travel
CA wave that travels without changing shape at all
DA wave that reverses direction once every period
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. A wave that varies in amplitude but does not travel
1. A standing wave comes from two waves superimposing rather than from a single travelling wave.
2. The result oscillates up and down in place, varying in amplitude, but the pattern does not propagate.
3. Vibrations on the surface of a glass of milk, on guitar strings and in organ pipes are all examples.
4. A travelling wave that merely loses amplitude is a damped wave, which still moves along.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 "Oscillatory Motion and Waves", section Standing Waves_
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