Question

Distinguish between progressive waves and stationary waves.

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Progressive waves	Stationary waves
1.	In a progressive wave, the disturbance travels from one region to the other with definite velocity.	In stationary waves, the disturbance remains in the region where it is produced; the velocity of the wave is zero.
2.	Amplitudes of all particles are the same.	Amplitudes of particles are different.
3.	In a progressive wave, particles do not cross their mean positions at the same time; instead, they do so successively.	In a stationary wave, all the particles between two consecutive nodes cross their mean positions simultaneously.
4.	All the particles of the medium keep moving continuously in a wave-like pattern.	The particles at the nodes remain permanently at rest, while others oscillate.
5.	Energy is transmitted from one region to another.	There is no transfer of energy.
6.	Phases of adjacent particles are different.	All particles between two consecutive nodes are moving in the same direction and are in phase, while those in adjacent loops are moving in opposite directions and differ in phase by 180°.