At which point of a stationary wave the sound heard is maximum, at the node or the antinode ?

Answer

To determine at which point of a stationary wave the sound heard is maximum, we need to analyze the characteristics of nodes and antinodes.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Stationary Waves**:
- A stationary wave is formed by the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions. It consists of points called nodes (where there is no displacement) and antinodes (where there is maximum displacement).

2. **Characteristics of Nodes and Antinodes**:
- At a **node**, the displacement of the medium is always zero. However, the pressure at the node is at its maximum.
- At an **antinode**, the displacement is at its maximum, but the pressure is at its minimum.

3. **Sound Propagation**:
- Sound travels through a medium due to pressure differences. When the pressure is high, the molecules of the medium are closer together, allowing them to vibrate more vigorously.

4. **Pressure and Sound Intensity**:
- Since sound intensity is related to the amplitude of the vibrations of the molecules, higher pressure (as in the case of nodes) leads to greater vibrations and thus more intense sound.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the sound heard is maximum at the **node** where the pressure is high, as opposed to the antinode where the pressure is low and the molecules are further apart.

### Final Answer:
The sound heard is maximum at the **node**.