1.

5 ANALYSING
INTERFERENCE OF
WAVES

DEFINITION
Interference

is the
superposition of two waves from
two coherent sources meet .
Two waves are in coherent if they
are of the same FREQUENCY
and AMPLITUDE

2 TYPES OF
INTERFERENCES
Constructive

interference
Destructive interference

*Principle of superposition
states that :

When

two waves overlap,

the resultant
displacement is equal to
the sum of the
displacements of the
individual wave

Constructive interference
the

crests or troughs of
both waves coincide to
produce a wave with
maximum amplitude.

Before Superposition

During superposition

Before Superposition

During superposition

Destructive interference
the

crests of one wave

coincide with the trough
of the other waves to
produce a wave with zero
amplitude

Before superposition

During superposition

Important formula
= ax
D

Inteference of Water Waves

At

the points of constructive

interference, the water moves up and
down with a large amplitude.
The points of constructive
interferences, is known as
antinodes. The points of
destructive interferences is known
as nodes.

Inteference of Light Waves

Interference occur when at least two
coherent light waves overlap or superpose
When constructive occurs there will be a
bright fringe.
When destructive occurs there will be a
dark fringe
The wavelength of monochromatic light
can be found by the formula :

Interference of Sound
Waves