Question

On a transmission line with standing wave the distance between a voltage maximum and adjacent current maximum is ________.

• A. \(\lambda/2\)
• B. \(\lambda/4\)
• C. \(\lambda/8\)
• D. \(\lambda/16\)

Hint:

Remember: Voltage and current nodes are \(\lambda/4\) apart in standing wave patterns. This is due to the sine and cosine nature of standing wave expressions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In a transmission line exhibiting standing waves due to reflections, voltage and current are not in phase. At a voltage maximum (anti-node), the current is minimum, and vice versa. The distance between a voltage maximum and a current maximum (a quarter of a full wave cycle shift) is: \[ \Delta x = \frac{\lambda}{4} \] Because the voltage and current are \(90^\circ\) out of phase spatially, this leads to a separation of \(\lambda/4\) between their respective maxima. 
Final Answer: (2) \(\lambda/4\)