Question
State principle of superposition. What are different phenomena guided by superposition of waves?
Solution
Principle of superposition: When two or more waves of the same nature travel past a point simultaneously, the resultant displacement at the point is vector sum of the instantaneous displacements due to individual wave.
If
are the displacement vectors due to individual waves at a point at a certain instant, then the resultant displacements due to individual wave is given by,
Some important cases of superposition of waves are:
(i) Stationary waves,
(ii) Beats,
(iii) Interference
If
are the displacement vectors due to individual waves at a point at a certain instant, then the resultant displacements due to individual wave is given by, Some important cases of superposition of waves are:
(i) Stationary waves,
(ii) Beats,
(iii) Interference
