1

Principle of Superposition of Waves

What is Superposition of Waves?
According to the principle of superposition. The resultant
displacement of a number of waves in a medium at a
particular point is the vector sum of the individual
displacements produced by each of the waves at that point.

of Superposition of Waves
Principle o

Waves

of Superposition of Waves
 2

Types of Superposition of Waves

According to the phase difference in superimposing waves,
interference is divided into two categories as follows.

Constructive Interference
If two waves superimpose with each other in the same phase, the
amplitude of the resultant is equal to the sum of the amplitudes of
individual waves resulting in the maximum intensity of light, this is
known as constructive interference.

Destructive Interference
If two waves superimpose with each other in opposite phase, the
amplitude of the resultant is equal to the difference in amplitude of
individual waves, resulting in the minimum intensity of light, this is
known as destructive interference.

Resultant Intensity in Interference of Two Waves

Let two waves of vertical displacements y1 and y2 superimpose at a point p in
space as shown in the figure, then the resultant displacement is given by
y = y1 + y2
waves are meeting at some point p at the same time the only
difference occurs in their phases. 
Displacements of individual waves are given by
y1 = a sin ωt
y2 = b sin ( ωt + φ)
Where a and b are their respective amplitudes and Φ is the constant
phase difference between the two waves.
Applying the superposition principle as stated above we get,
y = a sin ωt + b sin (ωt + φ) . . . . . . . . . . (1)
The resultant having an amplitude A and a phase angle with respect to
wave —1
 3

y = A sin(ωt + θ)
A sin(ωt + θ) = a sin ωt + b sin (ωt + φ)
4
 5

For destructive interference,
Intensity should be minimum I = I_min which happens only when
cos φ = -1