Stationary vs Progressive Waves (OCR AS Physics) : Revision Note

Stationary vs Progressive Waves

• There are both similarities and differences between progressive and stationary waves

Similarities

• Both types of waves involve the oscillations or vibrations of particles in the medium

• The particles in both types of waves have properties such as:

  • Frequency

  • Period of oscillation

  • Amplitude

• Both can be described using the general wave equation

Differences

• The differences are listed in the table below:

Comparing Progressive & Stationary Waves