LINEAR SUPERPOSITION AND INTERFERENCE When two or more sound waves are present at the same place at the same time we experience linear superposition. The principle of linear superposition states that the resultant effect of two or more concurrent waves is equal to the sum of the disturbances created by each of the individual waves. In the diagram above, the two waves produce a resultant disturbance that is found by adding the two individual displacements from equilibrium. When two waves add together to produce a disturbance that is larger than that of either individual wave, we call this constructive interference.When two waves add together to produce a disturbance that is smaller than either individual wave, we call this destructive interference. Waves travelling in the same direction can also exhibit constructive interference. When crest corresponds to crest and trough to trough the two waves are said to be in phase and interfere constructively. If crests up with troughs, the waves are said to be 180° out of phase and destructive interference results. When two sources of produce the same frequency and vibrate in phase, constructive interference occurs if the observer's position
LINEAR SUPERPOSITION AND INTERFERENCE When two or more sound waves are present at the same place at the same time we experience linear superposition. The principle of linear superposition states that the resultant effect of two or more concurrent waves is equal to the sum of the disturbances created by each of the individual waves. In the diagram above, the two waves produce a resultant disturbance that is found by adding the two individual displacements from equilibrium. When two waves add together to produce a disturbance that is larger than that of either individual wave, we call this constructive interference.When two waves add together to produce a disturbance that is smaller than either individual wave, we call this destructive interference. Waves travelling in the same direction can also exhibit constructive interference. When crest corresponds to crest and trough to trough the two waves are said to be in phase and interfere constructively. If crests up with troughs, the waves are said to be 180° out of phase and destructive interference results. When two sources of produce the same frequency and vibrate in phase, constructive interference occurs if the observer's position
Ch17%20Linear%20superposition%20and%20interference.docx