Superposition Of Waves

Introduction
If two or more waves collide, they are said to interfere. Interference is
a property of waves. In this article, properties of the resultant waves
created in interference is explained.

A. Superposition of waves

The principle of superposition states that when two or more waves

meet at a point, the resultant displacement at that point is equal to the
sum of the displacements of the individual waves at that point.

Consider two waves that arrive in phase as shown in Figure 1. Their

crests arrive at exactly the same time. Hence, they interfere
constructively. A resultant wave is produced, which has a crest much
larger than the two individual waves, and the troughs are deeper. If
the two incoming waves that are in phase have amplitude of A, then
the resultant wave has an amplitude of 2A. The frequency of the
resultant is the same as that of the incoming waves.

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 Figure 1: Constructive Interference

Consider two waves that arrive in antiphase (with a phase difference

of π or 180°) as illustrated in Figure 2. The crest of one wave and the
trough of another wave arrive at exactly the same time. Hence,
they interfere destructively. A resultant wave is produced, which has
a smaller amplitude. If the two incoming waves that are in antiphase
have amplitude of A, then the resultant wave has an amplitude of
zero. The frequency of the resultant is the same as that of the
incoming waves.

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 Figure 2: Destructive Interference

It can be noted that as the displacement is a vector quantity, the

direction of the wave must be noted when the individual waves are
added. Stationary waves are formed by two waves with the same
frequency travelling in opposite directions.

Figure 3 shows the interference of waves from two point sources, S1

and S2. The point C is equidistant from S1 and S2 and hence, the
path difference is 0. If the waves start in phase at S1 and S2, they will
arrive at C combining constructively, producing maximum disturbance
at C.

Points D and E are at different distances from S1 and S2 and hence

there is a path difference between the waves. If the path difference is
a whole number of wavelengths (1λ, 2λ, 3λ, and so on), the waves are
in phase and combine constructively. A resultant with maximum
displacement is formed. If the path difference is an odd number of
half-wavelengths (1λ/2, 3λ/2, 5λ/2, and so on), the waves are in

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 antiphase and combine destructively. A resultant with minimum
displacement is formed. The maximum and minimum displacements
are called fringes. This collection of fringes produced by superposition
of overlapping waves is called an interference pattern.

Figure 3: Path Difference

B. Summary

 The principle of superposition states that when two or more

waves meet at a point, the resultant displacement at that point is
equal to the sum of the displacements of the individual waves at
that point.
 If the two incoming waves that are in phase have amplitude of A,
then the resultant wave has an amplitude of 2A.
 If the two incoming waves that are in antiphase have amplitude
of A, then the resultant wave has an amplitude of zero.

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  Stationary waves are formed by two waves with the same
frequency travelling in opposite directions.

MUHAMMAD RIZWAN SIDDIQI (ONLINE TUTOR) CONTACT: +923323388218