Home | | Physics | Superposition principle of waves

Chapter: 11th 12th std standard Class Physics sciense Higher secondary school College Notes

Superposition principle of waves

Superposition principle of waves
When two waves travel in a medium simultaneously in such a way that each wave represents its separate motion, then the resultant displacement at any point at any time is equal to the vector sum of the individual displacements of the waves.

Superposition principle

 

When two waves travel in a medium simultaneously in such a way that each wave represents its separate motion, then the resultant displacement at any point at any time is equal to the vector sum of the individual displacements of the waves.

 

This principle is illustrated by means of a slinky in the Fig. (a).

 

1.  In the figure, (i) shows that the two pulses pass each other,

 

2.  In the figure, (ii) shows that they are at some distance apart

 

3.     In the figure, (iii) shows that they overlap partly

 

4.     In the figure, (iv) shows that resultant is maximum

 

Fig. b illustrates the same events but with pulses that are equal and opposite.

 

If  Vector Y1 JG and Vector Y2 JJG are the displacements at a point, then the resultant displacement is given by Vector  Y = Vector  Y1 + Vector  Y2.

 

If | Vector  Y2| - | Vector Y2| = a  , and if the two waves have their displacements in the same direction, then | Vector  Y | = a + a = 2a

 If the two waves have their displacements in the opposite direction, then | Vector Y | = a + (-a) = 0

The principle of superposition of waves is applied in wave phenomena such as interference, beats and stationary waves.


Study Material, Lecturing Notes, Assignment, Reference, Wiki description explanation, brief detail
11th 12th std standard Class Physics sciense Higher secondary school College Notes : Superposition principle of waves |


Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant

Copyright © 2018-2024 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.