How Do You Calculate Wavelength in a Standing Wave Scenario?

[AnomalyCoder]

Homework Statement

Sally sue and her partner hold a spring 4 meters apart. There were 5 nodes in the standing waves produced. Sally moved her hand from the rest position back and forth along the floor 20 times in 4 seconds. F

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Since there are 5 nodes, we are considering 4 waves, therefore 4 meters/4 waves = 1 meter.
However, someone else got they answer to be 2. What is the correct solution and why?

 

[Clever-Name]

Draw out a picture where you have 5 nodes, see how many FULL waves you have.

 

[WatermelonPig]

A full wave includes both a crest and a trough not just one or the other.

 

[wbandersonjr]

Yes a wavelength includes one crest and one trough in the picture of this problem.

 

[rwisz]

The correct solution would be 1 meter. This is because the wavelength is defined as the distance between two consecutive nodes or two consecutive points of maximum displacement. In this case, there are 5 nodes in a distance of 4 meters, which means there are 4 waves in that distance. Therefore, the wavelength would be 4 meters/4 waves = 1 meter. The other answer of 2 meters is incorrect because it does not take into account the number of waves, which is essential in calculating the wavelength. It is important to carefully consider all given information and equations when solving physics problems.