Superposition Revision

Animation - Constructive and Destructive Interference

Screen
A
B
Double Slit

C
D
E

Name

At starting Point: Waves are in phase

As they travel, red wave reaches Point A first as it
travels a shorter distance. The difference in distance
travelled by the red and blue waves is called a path
difference.
At Point A,
Path difference is 1
Phase difference is 2
Thus, we see constructive interference
At Point B,
Path difference is 0.5
Phase difference is 1
Thus, we see _________________ interference

Constructive/
Destructive
Constructive

Path
Difference
1

Phase
Difference
2

Destructive

0.5

Center

Constructive

Destructive

0.5

Constructive

Practice Questions:

No. of cycles lagging behind

Blue wave is lagging behind red
wave by 1 full cycle
Blue wave is lagging behind red
wave by half a cycle
No wave is lagging behind the
other. They travel the exact same
path at the exact same speed
Red wave is lagging behind blue
wave by half a cycle
Red wave is lagging behind blue
wave by 1 full cycle

Q1:

a) For point P on the line n=1, S1P S2P = 5.5 mm. What is the wavelength of
these waves?
For n = 1, the waves are in constructive interference. The path difference
(which is equal S1P S2P ) is 1 wavelength. Hence, 1 wavelength = 5.5mm.
b) Indicate a point R on the diagram above where S1R S2R = 11.0 mm.
Any point along the line n =2

Q2The sound waves have a wavelength of 0.12m. As Bala moves from A to a point
B, the intensity varies between maximum and minimum values. At B, the distance
S1B is 3.72 m and S2B is 4.02 m. Determine the number of high intensity regions that
are found between A and B. Do not include the maximum at A

The path difference is 4.02 - 3.72 = 0.30 m

Given that the wavelength is 0.12 m, the path difference is equal to 2.5 wavelengths.
0.30 / 0.12 = 2.5
From the table below, there are 2 high intensity regions.
Name
Constructive/
Path
Destructive
Difference
A
Constructive
0
Destructive
0.5
st
1 high intensity region
Constructive
1
Destructive
1.5
nd
2 high intensity region
Constructive
2
B
Destructive
2.5