Stationary Waves, Nodes and Antinodes

Stationary Waves, Nodes and Antinodes MDCAT MCQs with answers

9 past paper MCQs on Stationary Waves, Nodes and Antinodes, from the Waves unit of MDCAT Physics. The year each question appeared is shown where known; tap “Show answer” for the correct option and a short solution.

Read the notes first Practise the unit as a quiz

1.Which one of the following is INCORRECT about the nodes when a string is plucked? (MDCAT 2024)

  1. the amplitude of vibration is zero
  2. they do not move along the string
  3. they are produced at the fixed ends of the string
  4. the distance between consecutive nodes is one wavelength
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Correct answer: (d) the distance between consecutive nodes is one wavelength

Consecutive nodes are half a wavelength apart, not a whole wavelength.

2.Which one of the following does not cause stationary waves? (MDCAT 2024)

  1. two waves of equal frequency
  2. two waves of the same speed
  3. two waves of unequal amplitude
  4. two waves travelling in opposite directions
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Correct answer: (c) two waves of unequal amplitude

Stationary waves need two waves of equal amplitude; unequal amplitudes leave a travelling wave over the pattern.

3.In a stationary wave the point that undergoes zero acceleration is: (SZABMU MDCAT 2025)

  1. Node
  2. Antinode
  3. Midpoint between node and antinode
  4. Every point along the wave
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Correct answer: (a) Node

A node never moves, so its displacement, velocity and acceleration are all zero.

4.Which one of the following does not cause stationary waves? (UHS MDCAT 2024)

  1. Two waves of equal frequency
  2. Two waves of same speed
  3. Two waves of unequal amplitude
  4. Two waves travelling in opposite directions
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Correct answer: (c) Two waves of unequal amplitude

Two waves need equal amplitude for the nodes to be true zeros; everything else here is required.

5.The distance between two consecutive nodes of a stationary wave is: (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. λ
  2. λ/2
  3. λ/4
  4. λ/6
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Correct answer: (b) λ/2

Consecutive nodes of a stationary wave are half a wavelength apart.

6.Stationary waves are produced by: (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. Reflection
  2. Interference
  3. Diffraction
  4. Rarefaction
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Correct answer: (b) Interference

Two identical waves travelling opposite ways interfere to give a stationary pattern.

7.Stationary waves cannot be produced in: (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. Water waves
  2. Finite ropes
  3. Sound waves
  4. None of the above.
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Correct answer: (d) None of the above.

Stationary waves form in water, on a rope and in air alike, so there is no exception.

8.The sound waves have no: (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. Frequency of the wave
  2. Energy
  3. Nodes
  4. Intensity
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Correct answer: (c) Nodes

A progressive sound wave carries no nodes; nodes belong to a stationary wave.

9.In a stationary wave, the distance between a node and consecutive antinode is: (PMC Practice 2021)

  1. A quarter of wavelength
  2. 3/4 of wavelength
  3. One wavelength
  4. Half of wavelength
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Correct answer: (a) A quarter of wavelength

Nodes and antinodes alternate every quarter wavelength.

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