Module 4 - Chapter 12 - Waves 2

Question 1

What is superposition?

Answer 1

Super position is when 2 waves of the same type meet and overlap. When they do, they create a single wave with a different instantaneous displacement to the 2 waves.

Question 2

What is the principle of superposition?

Answer 2

The principle of superposition is that when 2 waves meet, the resultant displacement is equal to the sum of the displacements of the individual waves.

Question 3

What is constructive interference?

Answer 3

Constructive interference is when 2 waves superposing each other are in phase, this means that the maximums will add on to each other to create a displacement larger than the original waves individual displacement.

Question 4

What is destructive interference?

Answer 4

Destructive interference is when 2 waves are in antiphase. This means that when they superpose each other, their displacements are opposite and so when they are added together they create a wave with a displacement smaller than the original individual waves displacements.

Question 5

What is coherence?

Answer 5

Coherence refers to waves emitted from 2 sources having a constant phase difference.They must also have the same frequency.