Node (physics)

For other uses, see Node (disambiguation).
A standing wave. The red dots are the wave nodes

A node is a point along a standing wave where the wave has minimum amplitude. For instance, in a vibrating guitar string, the ends of the string are nodes. By changing the position of the end node through frets, the guitarist changes the effective length of the vibrating string and thereby the note played. The opposite of a node is an anti-node, a point where the amplitude of the standing wave is at maximum. These occur midway between the nodes.[1]

  1. ^ Stanford, A. L.; Tanner, J. M. (2014). Physics for Students of Science and Engineering. Academic Press. p. 561. ISBN 978-1483220291.