Can Compressions and Nodes Be Compared in Wave Calculations?

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SUMMARY

Compressions and rarefactions in longitudinal traveling waves cannot be directly compared to nodes and antinodes in standing waves. The distance between two consecutive nodes or antinodes in a standing wave is half the wavelength, while the distance between two consecutive compressions in a traveling wave is equal to the full wavelength. This distinction is crucial for accurate calculations in wave physics.

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  • Basic mathematical skills for calculating distances in wave equations.
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Just a quick question-- can compressions and rarefractions be compared to nodes and antinodes in calculations? For example, I have calculated the wavelength of a given longitudinal traveling wave and I am supposed to find the distance from one compression to an adjacent compression. I calculated this the same as you would from node to node where the distance between each is half a wave. However, when I tried this theory, (assuming that the distance between a compression and another compression is half a wave) it ended up being wrong. Please help soon-- I am reviewing for a Physics final tomorrow and came across this problem. I hope you can help clear it up. Thanks
 
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No
Nodes and antinodes are formed in a standing wave, not in a traveling wave.

The distance between two consecutive nodes (or antinodes) in a standing wave is half the wavelength.

The distance between to consecutive compression (or creasts in case of transverce waves) in a traveling wave is equal to wavelength.
 

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