Ch. 5 - Superposition Principle

Question 1

Superposition Principle

Answer 1

The resultant displacement is the sum of the separate displacements of the constituent waves.

Question 2

Non-linear optics

Answer 2

when two or more light fields of large amplitude mix together in a material the resultant light field may not be simply the superposition of the individual fields.

interaction between the EM field and material can produce non-linear effects.

Question 3

constructive interference

Answer 3

waves being superposed are “in step” in the sense that the peaks of the waves occur at the same times

Question 4

destructive interference

Answer 4

two harmonic waves of the same frequency are “out of step” in the sense that the peaks of one always coincide with the troughs of the other.