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Wave Superposition and Interference Explained

The document discusses the superposition of waves, explaining how two or more waves can overlap to create a resultant wave based on the principle of superposition. It covers interference, including constructive and destructive interference, and the conditions for stable interference patterns, particularly in the context of Young's double-slit experiment. Additionally, it describes stationary waves, their formation, properties, and the concept of harmonics in both strings and air columns.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6 views9 pages

Wave Superposition and Interference Explained

The document discusses the superposition of waves, explaining how two or more waves can overlap to create a resultant wave based on the principle of superposition. It covers interference, including constructive and destructive interference, and the conditions for stable interference patterns, particularly in the context of Young's double-slit experiment. Additionally, it describes stationary waves, their formation, properties, and the concept of harmonics in both strings and air columns.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

12 .

Superposition of waves

Superposition :

When two or of the they


more waves same
type meet
-

, pass

through each other Where the . waves overlap , or superpose , they produce
a
single wave ,
whose instantaneous displacement can be found with

principle of superposition.

The principle of
superposition states that when two wares meet a
-

resultant the
point the
, displacement at that point is equal to sum

of displacements of the individual waves.

Displacement is a vector ,
when the displacements of I waves are

added together , the resultant be smaller


can
greater or .

Interference :

When two
progressive waves continually pass through each other,

they superpose and produce a resultant wave with a


displacement
equal the
to sum of instantaneous displacements from both waves
,
called

interference .

If then
2 waves are in
phase maximum
positive displacement occurs
-

, ,

this is constructive interference.


As
intensity camplitudes
a
, constructive interference ↑
intensity
.

If 2 progressive waves are in anti phase then the resultant displacement


,

is smaller than for each individual waves . This is destructive interferencee.


12 2
.
Interference
-

For stable wave patterns from interfering waves,


they must be coherent .

Forming Stable interference patterns :

Coherence refers to waves emitted from two sources having constant a

phase difference. In order to be coherent the two waves need the same
frequency.
Path and Phase difference :

Interference patterns contain a series of maxima and minima .


At a
the interfere constructively and
maximum ,
waves ,
at minima
they
interfere destructively
.
-Maxima and minima are result of two waves having travelled different
a

distances from sources. This is known as


path differences.

If the path difference is an odd number of half wavelengths (n + (1 ,

the 2 waves will arrive at that point in anti phase.

If the path difference is a whole number (n) then He 2 ,

will Therefore
waves
always arrive at a
point in phase. constructive

interference takes place .

At central path difference is O so phase difference is O


maxima
-

, ,

At first-order maxima the path difference is one whole wavelength


,

or 2it radians.
The peak from first waves line
up with peaks of 2nd
waves and so constructive interference occurs.
Young's Double split experiment
·

Two coherent waves are needed toform an interference pattern,


so
Young devised a method to achieve this
by using monochromatic
a

source of light only allowing a


single slit to diffract the light .

Light diffracting from the single slit arrives at the double slit
in phase .
It then diffracts again from the double slit. Each slit
acts a source of coherent waves.

Overlapping and
forming an
interference pattern
that can be seen as
alternating bright and
colour
dark fringes .

↓ filter

·
navreit
↑ adram
shit

From this experiment we can obtain the equation :


slit Separation
ax fringe
- spacing
X =
T
Xi X
wavelength distance from
screen to slits.

This gives us the fact that when we


change from red light
to violet light ,
as the wavelength decreases [a and Dare constants]
therefore fringe spacing must also decrease.
Stationary Waves

Formation and properties :

-Stationary waves form when two waves with the same frequency
travelling in
opposite directions are
superposed.

As have the frequency ,at


they same certain points they in
-

are

antiphase ,
so displacements cancel out
.
Forming a node ,
a
point
where displacement is
always 0
.

At other
points where the waves are in phase they form ,
an

antinode point of greatest amplitude and intensity


-

node antinode

......
Separation between 2 nodes or 2 antinodes adjacent
to eachother is . Separation between adjacent nodes and
antinodes is

As the two
progressive waves are
travelling in opposite
directions , there is no net transfer by stationary wave
energy a .

Phase differences along a


stationary wave :

In between adjacent nodes all the particles in a stationary


,

wave are in phase with eachother all reading maximum


,

and minimum displacement at the same time .

On different sides of a node the , particles are in antiphase ,


have
a phase difference of it rad.
Comparison to progressive waves :

Energy is transferred in direction of the for progressive


-

wave

energy transfer
waves . Whilst stationary waves have no net .

Wavelength is the distance between 2 identical points on adjacent


waves for progressive Wavelength for stationary
.
waves is double
the distance between 2 nodes.

Phase differences changes across one


complete cycle in progressive
waves . Instationary waves all parts of wave a between nodes
are in phase whilst on different sides is antiphase.

For progressive waves all parts of the,


wave have the same

amplitude. However for stationary waves , maximum displacement


is at the antinode.
Harmonics

Stationary waves on
strings
:

If a
string is stretched between 2 points these points ,

nodes When the is


plucked
act as .
string , a
progressive
wave travels the
along string and gets reflected .


This creates 2
progressive waves
travelling in opposite
directions forming a
,
stationary wave.

-
When plucked it vibrates in its fundamental mode of vibration ,
,

in which wavelength is double length of string


.

Harmonics and Wavelength :

The fundamental frequency fo is the minimum frequency of


a
stationary wave for a string
.
The string can form other stationary
waves called harmonics at
higher frequencies .

For a
given string atfixed Tension speed of wave is constant
,
.

At a frequency of 20 the wavelength decreases by half vis as

constant
.

f : 20Hz or fo
First Harmonic : 1 =
21 (L =
length of String)
· &

Second Harmonic :
H oro

~
Third Harmonic :
3fo
f JOHz

:
: or

Fourth Harmonic :

f : 80Hz or 4 fo
:
Fifth Harmonic :

f : 100Hz or Sfo
u
-

Harmonic Equation :

for the first harmonic for t or


This part
of the equation changes
depending on which harmonic
Ce .

g 4th
is
Stationary Waves in air columns

Stationary waves with sound :

-Sound Waves reflected off a surface can form a


stationary
wave Original. wave and reflected wave
superpose .

-Stationary sound waves can also be made in tubes by making


the air column inside the tabe vibrate, at frequencies related to
the of the tube.
length
Also
depending on the fact whether tube end is

open or closed.

Stationary waves in a tube closed at one end :

In order for a stationary wave to form in a tube closed at one


end ,
there must be an antinode at the
open end and a node at the
closed end
.

The air at the open end the oscillations


,
of air are at their

greatest amplitude be antinode. Harmonics are


, so must an

also possible.

Unlike tube closed


stationary waves on
strings in a at
-

one end , possible to form


it is not harmonic at a
20 >
-
No 2nd 4th
,

or 6th harmonic for a tube closed at one end .

IFrequencies of these harmonics


open ended
in a one take
are
always an odd multiple of the fundamental frequency.
(3fo Sto) ,

C T

1st
harmonic :
Stationary waves in
open tubes
:

A tube at both ends must have an antinode at each


open
end in order to form a
stationary wave .

-
Unlike a open-ended tube harmonics at all integer multiples
one ,

offo (fo Ifo 3fo) are all possible in an open tube.


, ,

[ S

1st
harmonic
X

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