Final answer:
The number of antinodes in a standing wave pattern can be determined by counting the nodes and subtracting one since there is always one more node than antinode in a full wavelength of a standing wave.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked about the number of antinodes in a given standing wave pattern. In physics, standing wave patterns consist of nodes and antinodes formed by repeated interference between two waves of the same frequency traveling in opposite directions. Antinodes are points in a standing wave where the amplitude is maximum. These occur halfway between the nodes, which are points of no movement. In a full wavelength of a standing wave, there is always one more node than antinode. For example, if there are 6 nodes, there would be 5 antinodes. It's essential to visually inspect the pattern to determine the correct count of nodes and antinodes.
Given that nodes appear at integer multiples of half wavelengths, and antinodes appear at odd multiples of quarter wavelengths, we can infer that between any two consecutive nodes, there will be exactly one antinode. So, if the standing wave is illustrated with marked nodes, counting the nodes and subtracting one will give the number of antinodes.