CHAPTER 5

5.6 INTERFERENCE
OF
WAVES
 Interference
Principle of Superposition

The principle of superposition states that where two or

more waves meet, the total displacement at any point
is the vector sum of the displacements that each
individual wave would cause at that point.
https://www.ophysics.com/waves/waves3b.html
Coherent Wave
 Two wave sources which are coherent have
same frequency or have constant phase
difference.

Interference
 The effect of superposition of two coherent
waves is interference.
 Interference is a phenomenon of wave caused
by the superposition of 2 or more coherent
waves.
In the interference of 2 waves, there are places where the 2 waves
are always in phase (same phase) and the superposition of the
waves produces oscillation with maximum amplitude. This is
called the constructive interference.
A place where constructive interference occurs is called the
anti-node.
In the interference of 2 waves, there are also places where the 2
waves are always anti-phase (phase difference = 180°) and the
superposition of the waves produces oscillation with minimum
amplitude. This is called the destructive interference.
A place where destructive interference occurs is called the node.
 Interference of Light Wave

Dark fringes occur along

Young’s Double Slit
nodal lines
Experiment

Bright fringes occur along

antinodal lines
Interference of Sound Wave

Experiment
1.Figure below shows the apparatus set up to investigate the interference of sound wave.
2.Two distanced speakers are connected to the same audio generator.
3.A microphone is move in front of the 2 speakers from left to right.

Formula
Wavelength of the sound wave is given by the
equation
λ= ax/ D
a = Distance between two loudspeakers
x = Distance between two successive loud
sound.
D = Distance between the straight line path
and the two loudspeakers.

Result:
Alternating loud and soft sounds are detected as the
microphone is moved from left to right
√
√
√
Relationship between λ, a, x and D

Answer:
0.011 m
Answer:
a) 0.54 m
b) 270 m/s
Answer:
a) 5.2 x 10^-7 m
b) 12
√
Application of Interference of
waves
Answer:
0.8 cm
Answer:
3.2 x 10^-3 m
Answer:
1.67 x 10^-7 m
Answer:
a) 0.6 m
b) 2 m