SUPERPOSITION

When two or more waves travel in a medium at the same , all the waves
combine to make a single wave which is called the resultant wave. This
phenomenon of combination of waves is called superposition.

Principle of Superposition
The principle of superposition states that, when two or more waves
of the same type overlap, the resultant displacement is equal to the
vector sum of the displacements due to each individual wave.

If two waves of amplitudes y1 and y2 superpose, then the amplitude

of the resultant wave y will be given by :
y = y 1 + y2
Phase
In superposition if the crest of one wave falls exactly on the crest of
second wave and the trough falls on the trough, then the two waves are in
phase. Their phase difference Ø = 0, 2π, 4π, ……..

In superposition if the crest of one wave falls exactly on the trough

of second wave and the trough falls on the crest, then the two waves are
out of phase. Their phase difference Ø = π, 3 π, 5 π ……..
Interference of Waves
Superposition of two similar waves ( having same wavelength, frequency and
amplitude ) and moving in the same direction is called Interference of waves.

Three types of Interference

1. Complete Constructive Interference.
When the crests or the troughs of two waves overlap completely we get a big
resultant wave. In this case the two waves are in phase or the phase difference
Ø = 0, 2π, 4π, ……...
2. Complete Destructive Interference.
When the crest of one wave overlaps with the trough of second wave or
vice versa we get a resultant wave of minimum value , zero. In this case the
two waves are out of phase or the phase difference Ø = π, 3π, ……...

3. Intermediate Interference.
If the phase difference is 0 ˂ Ø ˂ π,
then the waves have partial
constructive and partial destructive
interference and the amplitude of
resultant wave is between 0 and 2A.
Reflection
The reflection of a wave is simply a process by which a wave, whether
light or sound waves, hits an object and bounces off it (comes back to the
same medium ).

Two Possibilities in Reflection

1. Reflection from a fixed end
Reflected wave from a fixed end will be inverted(upside down). Therefore when
a wave travels from low density medium to a high density medium the wave
reflected at the boundary is inverted and its phase changes by π rad.
2. Reflection from a loose end
Reflected wave from a loose end will not be inverted. Therefore if a wave travels
from high to low density medium, the reflected wave at the boundary does not
invert and there is no change in its phase.
Standing wave
A standing wave is a wave pattern that is fixed in space and does
not move.
Standing waves are produced by the superposition of two similar
waves ( having same frequency, wavelength, amplitude ) but
moving in opposite directions.
EXAPMLE 14.1 (Page 379 ) EXAPMLE 14.2 (Page 379 )

Wave length λ = 7.9 m Speed of waves v = 75 m/s

Speed of waves v = 2.7 m/s Frequency f = 200 Hz
Frequency f =? Wave length λ = ?
We know that We know that
v =λ f v =λ f
Or f =v/λ Or λ=v/f
Therefore f = 2.7 / 7.9 Therefore λ = 75/ 200
f = 0.34 Hz λ = 0.375 m
EXAPMLE 14.4 (Page 380 ) EXAPMLE 14.14 (Page 391 )

Length of boat L = 5m Amplitude of resultant wave = 2A cos( Ø/2)

Time t =2s According to given conditions
Speed of waves v = 5/2 2A cos( Ø/2) = A
= 2.5 m/s cos( Ø/2) = 1/2
Frequency f = 1 Hz ( Ø/2) = cos-1 (1/2)
We know that = ±600
λ=v/f Ø = ± 1200
Or λ = 2.5/ 1
Therefore λ = 2.5 m

THE END
CHAPTER 14