Waves

Wave Interference
LECTURE 5
Wave 1

Wave 2

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Waves
Wave Interference
LECTURE 5
Wave 1

Wave 2

Resultant
Superposition of Waves
Superposition of Waves

+
Superposition of Waves
 Superposition of Waves
Principle of Superposition:
When 2 or more waves superpose on a medium particle then this is called
“superposition of waves” at that position.

If & are the displacement at point P due to waves from S1+ S2 independently
then according to “Principle of Superposition” the resulting displacement of particle at
P in influence of both waves is given as :
If oscillations are in same direction

yP = y1+y2 (algebraic sum)

(vector sum)
Superposition of Wave Pulses in a String:

v
v
h2 Before
h1

v
h1+h2 h2
v Superposition
h1

v
v After
h2
h1
 v
h1

h2 Before
v

v
h1
h 1-
h2
Superposition
h2
v

v
h1
After
h2
v

Superposition NEVER affects further propagation of waves.

 Applications of Superposition of Waves
When 2 or more mechanical waves superpose in a region of medium particles there
are some important phenomenons which can take place depending on some factors,
these are:
1. Interference of Waves
2. Stationary Waves
3. Beats

Interference of Waves Stationary Waves Beats

 Interference of Waves :
When 2 or more waves of same frequency and constant initial phase difference
superpose on a medium particle then superposition of such waves at the point of
superposition is called “Interference of Waves”.

These are called “Coherent Waves” (same frequency), no initial phase lag with time.

Coherent waves: No variation in phase difference between these waves with time.
Φ = constant
 Constructive Interference
When 2 coherent waves in same phase (no phase lag) superpose then such an
interference is called Constructive Interference.

Resultant

Wave 1

Wave 2
 Destructive Interference
When 2 coherent waves superpose on a medium particle in opposite phase (phase
difference = 𝜋 (or odd multiple of 𝜋)) then it’s termed as “destructive interference”.

Resultant

Wave 1

Wave 2
 Analysis of Wave Interference
If 2 waves of amplitude A1& A2 , superpose at P with phase
S1
A1 difference ϕ, the resulting amplitude of oscillation at the point
of interference is given as :
Difference in phase = ϕ P Particles S.H.M due to wave 1
Same frequency
y1 = A1 sin ωt

S2 A2 Particles S.H.M due to wave 2

y2 = A2 sin (ωt + 𝝓)
 S1
A1

Difference in phase = ϕ P
Same frequency

S2 A2
 Analysis of Wave Interference

At t = 0
Particle at P starts oscillating with Amplitude (A1).
Its difference can be given as

……(1)

After time 𝛅t second wave arrive P with phase lag ϕ.

Displacement of particle at P due to second wave

…….(2)

According to superposition principle,

The resultant displacement of particle at P can be given as

After superposition particle at P will execute SHM with amplitude R and initial phase 𝛳.

Here

……. (1)

……. (2)
(1)2 + (2)2

(1)/ (2)

∼ to vector addition

In interference the resulting oscillation amplitude and its initial phase depends on component
wave amplitudes the phase difference between the two waves.
 Interference of 2 waves of Equal Amplitude
If 2 waves of amplitude A, superpose on a medium particle with phase difference ϕ,
the resulting amplitude of oscillation at the point of interference is given as :
 Conditions for Constructive Interference :
Here R will be max when cos ϕ = +1

Oscillations are in same phase.

 Conditions for Constructive Interference :
Here R will be max when cos ϕ = +1

Oscillations are in same phase.

This is Constructive Interference.

 Conditions for Destructive Interference :

Similarly R will be minimum when cos ϕ = −1

 Conditions for Destructive Interference :

Similarly R will be minimum when cos ϕ = −1

This is Destructive Interference

 Intensity at the Point of Interference
As we know
I ∝ (Amplitude)2
I = kA2
When 2 coherent waves interfere, resulting Amplitude

Resultant Intensity at the point of interference :

 Intensity at the Point of Interference
As we know
α

When 2 coherent waves interfere, resulting Amplitude

Resultant Intensity at the point of interference :

For Constructive Interference :

For Destructive Interference :

Ratio of Imax and Imin in the region of Interference :

Contrast Ratio
Condition on Path difference for Interference of 2 waves
As we know

Phase difference = path difference

= k ( wave number )
At P

Path difference in 2 waves

∴ Phase difference
Condition on Path difference for Constructive Interference

For constructive interference at point P

When Δ = 0, 𝜆, 2𝜆, 3𝜆, ……, N𝜆 constructive interference at P will takes place.

Condition on Path difference for Destructive Interference

For Destructive Interference at point P

When destructive interference at P will take place.

 Sound Interference in QUINCKE’s Tube

QUINCKE is an experimental setup to demonstrate sound interference &

to calculate sound speed in air
 Sound Interference in QUINCK’s Tube

l1 l2 x

Detects Maxima Detects Next Maxima

 Sound Interference in QUINCK’s Tube

l1 l2 x

Detects Maxima Detects Next Maxima

Initially when detector records a Now tube B is pulled out to detect next maxima
maxima (move U-tube by x)

v= (2x)
Interference of Sound in SEEBECK’s Tube

Detector
l

Detects Maxima

l x

x
x

Detects Next Maxima

 INTERFERENCE OF SOUND IN SEEBECK’s TUBE
SEEBECK is used to find sound velocity in air and used to demonstrate interference.
l

Detector

Initially piston is set for maximum LOUDNESS

Now we move piston ՙx͗ right for next maxima (gradually).

Sound speed :

v= (2x) (Found the velocity of sound)

Interference of Sound from 2 Closely Spaced Sources :
Case-1: When data moves parallel to the line joining the 2 sources.

S1
B
IO
A
d Δ=0 d<<D
D Detector
A’
IO S2
B’

C’

D’
Interference of Sound from 2 Closely Spaced Sources :
Case-1: When data moves parallel to the line joining the 2 sources.

B Δ=λ
IO S1
x Δ = λ/2
A
d d<<D
D Detector Δ=0
A’
Δ = λ/2 (IR = 0)
IO S2
B’ Δ=λ (IR = 4I0)

C’ Δ = 3λ/2 (IR = 0)

D’ Δ = 2λ (IR = 4I0)
Interference of Sound from 2 Closely Spaced Sources :
Case-1: When data moves parallel to the line joining the 2 sources.

B Δ=λ
IO S1
x Δ = λ/2
A
d d<<D
D Detector Δ=0
A’
IO Δ = λ/2 (IR = 0)
S2
B’ Δ=λ (IR = 4I0)

C’ Δ = 3λ/2 (IR = 0)

4I0 D’ Δ = 2λ (IR = 4I0)

-y +y
D’ C’ B’ A’ O A B
 Δ=?
IO
S1
x

d θ
D

S2
IO

Distance from Nth position of MAXIMA from D. Distance from Nth position of MINIMA from D.
 IO
S1
x
θ
d θ
D

S2
IO

For Constructive Interference : For Destructive Interference :

Distance from Nth position of MAXIMA Distance from Nth position of MINIMA from D.
from D.
Case-2 : When Detector moves perpendicular to line joining the sources

d<<<D
P

Q x

S1 S2 θ Δ=d
θ
O
d D
IO IO
Case-2 : When Detector moves perpendicular to line joining the sources

d<<<D
P
ΔP

Δ Q x

S1 S2 θ Δ=d
θ
O
d D
IO IO

Δ = S1P - S2P = S1Q

Δ = d cosθ

If at P there is a Maxima If at P there is a Minima

d cosθ = Nλ θ = cos-1(Nλ/d) d cosθ = (2N+1)λ/2 θ = cos-1[(2N+1)λ/2d)]

 Example 2 coherent sources which emits waves of wavelength λ are placed at
separation 2λ as shown.The sound is detected by a detector moving
along line AB as shown. Find the distance x at which intensity at point P
is equal to intensity at O.
D>>λ
P
A. 2 D Detector

B. 3 D
X
C. 5 D
D. 7 D
O
S1 S2
D

d=2λ
Solution:
At 0
Δ = 2λ (maxima)
Constructive Interference (Intensity is maxima) Imax

At P

Δ = λ for intensity & P to be equal to intensity a0 = Imax

IP = I0

From figure
 Example 2 speakers A & B at separation 1m both emit waves of same frequency
1700 Hz in same phase. A sensitive detector, moving parallel to the line AB
detects a maxima at P which is on perpendicular bisector of AB and
another maxima when it first reaches Q directly opposite to B as shown.
Calculate the speed of sound waves in air.

A. 310 m/s
B. 320 m/s A
C. 340 m/s
D. 360 m/s
1m P
2.4 m

B Q
2.4 m
Solution:

Path difference at θ
 Example Two sources of sound of same frequency produces sound intensity I
and 4I at a point P when used individually. If both are sounded together,
find intensity at P if the two waves reaches point P with a phase
difference 2π/3.

A. 2I
B. 3I
C. 4I
D. 5I
Solution:

I1 = I, I2 = 4I, ɸ = 2𝜋/3

Resultant Intensity :

X
 Example Sound from 2 identical sources S1 and S2 reach a point P. When both
sounds reach in same phase, intensity at P is I0.The power of S1 is now
reduced by 64% and phase difference between S1 and S2 is varied
continuously. Find the ratio of maximum to minimum intensities at P.

A. 8
B. 12
C. 16
D. 20
Solution:

Intensity at P for Constructive Interference = I0

I S1
I S2
Imax = 4I = I0

After reduction of panes of S1 final Intensities

I1 = 0.36I
I1 = I

Ratio :
 Example In a large room a person receives direct sound waves from a source 120 m
away from him. He also receives waves from the same source which reach
him after reflection from a 25 m high ceiling. For which wavelength person
will hear maximum sound.

A. 5 m, 2.5 m, 1.15 m, 1.2 m

B. 10 m, 5 m, 3.33 m, 2.5 m
C. 15 m, 7.5 m, 6.62 m, 5 m
D. 20 m, 10 m, 9.75 m, 7.5 m 25 m

S P

120 m
Solution:

Phase difference at P

The person will hear maximum sound

λ = 10m, 5m, 3.33m, 2.5m

 Example 2 coherent sources of sound are placed at separation 3λ. A detector D
moves along a circle S as shown, Find number of maxima & minima
recorded by D in one round along the circle.

A. 5, 7 D
B. 7, 10
C. 12, 12
D. 12, 15
3λ

S1 S2
Solution:
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