Interference

Physics 11
Superposition and  If two waves exist at
the same point in space
Standing Waves at the same time, they
will interfere with each
other.
Interference
Beats
Standing Waves on a String
animations

Interference Superposition Principle for Waves

 Overlapping waves do not alter the travel of the

other wave.
The Principle of Linear Superposition : When two or more waves  The individual waves move independently
are present simultaneously at the same place, the resultant disturbance
is the sum of the disturbances from the individual waves. of one another.

1
 Interference Interference
 Sound waves, like any waves, can interfere
with each other.
Constructive
Interference Constructive
Interference

Destructive
Interference
Destructive
Interference

Interference Beats

 Constructive interference occurs when the

condensations (or the rarefactions) from two sounds waves overlap.
 Destructive interference occurs if the condensation from one  If two sound waves with slightly different frequencies
sound wave overlaps the rarefaction from another sound wave. overlap, the interference of the two sound waves produce
beats.

2
 Beats Reflections at a Boundary
f  10 Hz

f  12 Hz

 When a wave hits a hard boundary like a wall that

f  2 Hz is too rigid to shake, the wave will reflect back.
 If we continue producing waves, the incident
waves and the reflected waves will interfere with each
beat frequency = difference in the two frequencies other.

Standing Waves Standing Waves

antinodes

nodes

3
 Standing Waves Standing Waves

fundamental mode or first harmonic second harmonic

Standing Waves

third harmonic