A Level Physics Practice Exam

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Study for the A Level Physics Exam. Our quiz features flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly!

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Points on either side of the rest position in a standing wave are described as what?

In phase
Out of phase
180 degrees out of phase
Perpendicular

The correct answer is: 180 degrees out of phase

In a standing wave, points on either side of the rest position, which is the equilibrium position of the wave, are indeed described as being 180 degrees out of phase with each other. Each point can be thought of as moving in opposite directions relative to the rest position. When one point is at its maximum displacement in one direction, the corresponding point on the opposite side is at its maximum displacement in the opposite direction. This 180-degree phase difference means that while one point is experiencing a peak (or trough), the other point is undergoing a trough (or peak) at the same time, resulting in destructive interference if they were to interact. Understanding this phase relationship is crucial for analyzing wave behavior in systems such as strings, sound waves, and other oscillatory phenomena.