Which statement is true about the nodes in a standing wave?

Study for the NCEA Level 3 Waves Test. Prepare with interactive flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success!

In a standing wave, nodes are defined as points where the displacement of the medium is consistently zero throughout the oscillation. This occurs because the two waves that interfere to form the standing wave have equal amplitudes and are traveling in opposite directions. At the nodes, the destructive interference results in complete cancellation of the wave motion. Therefore, at these specific points, the medium does not move at all, which is why it is correct to say that nodes are points of zero displacement.

This understanding of nodes is crucial in the study of standing waves in various contexts, such as in musical instruments, where the placement of nodes and antinodes determines the pitch of the sound produced.

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