Principle of Superposition of Waves

The concept of this condition where the net response at a given place and time that is caused by two or more stimuli is considered to be the sum of the responses which would have been caused if each stimulus occurred individually is based on the fact that an assumption has been made. To make the above condition possible, the medium has to be non-dispersive which means all frequencies will be able to travel at the same speed. The evidence to support this condition is that the Gaussian wave pulses do not change their form when they propagate. 

Based on the principle, this straightforward, practically instinctive, standard can be displayed to apply to every single normal wave, be it mechanical, sound, or electromagnetic. An outcome is that the different waves restored on an extended string, for instance, are free of each other. Two pulses going in inverse directions on the string can go through each other and return on the opposite side without being adjusted in any capacity. The “wave pulses” can be displayed in three-sided and rectangular shapes. On the off chance that a three-sided wave beat is shown moving to the right, and a rectangular wave beat is moving to the left, both at the speed of 1 m.s-1 and their positions are separated into 5 individual frames at the clock seasons of 0s, 1s, 2s, 3s, and 4s. One will need to notice that the outlines 3 and 4 will then show the pulses during the time spent elapsing through each other. Outline 5 will show the pulses of edge 1 having gone through each other without transforming each other. Now, if we are to center around outlines 3 and 4 respectively, At the very particular point when the amplitudes of the two pulses have similar signs, the resultant displacement of the concerned medium will increase. This is called constructive interference. The “interfering” pulses move freely, and don’t influence each other, or physically transform each other, in any capacity.

Interference: Meaning

Interference is recognized as the change in the amplitude which can get larger or smaller after the superposition of two waves. Thus, a new wave is formed that may have a higher or lower velocity than the original velocities of the two waves that were present at first. 

Types of Superpositions of Waves

There are two types of superposition of waves. They are:

1. Constructive Waves- At the point of superimposition of two waves in the same phase, the amplitude of the resultant is the same as the sum of the amplitudes of two individual waves. As a result, the maximum intensity of light is witnessed.
2. Destructive Waves- At the point of superimposition of two waves in opposite phases, the amplitude of the resultant is the difference in the amplitudes of two individual waves. As a result, the minimum intensity of light is witnessed.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier that when two or more than two waves are present simultaneously, at the same point that is in space, the medium’s displacement at that point will be equal to the addition of the displacements for each wave”. The entire process is based on the principle of superposition of waves which is again, based on some assumptions on what will be the ideal condition for this to happen. It can be concluded that the superposition of waves is defined as the corresponding or resultant displacement that is achieved by several waves the vector sum of displacements produced by one another