NFC Institute Of Engineering & Fertilizer

Research, Faisalabad

Name:
Hammad Malik
Roll No:
49
Department:
Computer Science
Submitted To:
Dr. Fayyaz Ahmad
 -:Superposition principle of waves:-
Definition:
“It states that when two or more waves meet at a point in space, the resultant
wave is the sum of the individual waves.”

The Superposition Principle of Waves is a fundamental concept in physics that governs the
behavior of waves when they interact with each other. It is a principle that is applicable to all
types of waves, including sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and water waves.

To understand this principle better, let us consider an example of two waves traveling in the
same direction in a medium, such as air or water. When the two waves meet, they add up to
create a new wave that is the sum of the amplitudes of the two individual waves. This new
wave can have different amplitudes, wavelengths, and frequencies than the original waves. The
Superposition Principle of Waves is based on the fact that waves are disturbances that
propagate through a medium or space. They carry energy from one place to another without
transporting matter. When waves interact with each other, they do not collide like particles,
but rather pass through each other, resulting in a new wave pattern.

Condition of Superposition Waves :

The condition for the superposition principle to hold true is that the waves must be
linear, meaning that they obey the principle of superposition and can be added together
without changing their fundamental properties. Additionally, the waves must have the same
frequency and travel in the same direction or at least parallel to each other.

In practical terms, this means that when two or more waves meet, their amplitudes add
together to form a resultant wave with a new amplitude. The principle of superposition is
essential in many areas of physics, including optics, acoustics, and seismology
Superposition of waves can lead to the following three effects:

 Whenever two waves having the same frequency travel with the same speed along the
same direction in a specific medium, then they superpose and create an effect known as
the interference of waves.
 In a situation where two waves having similar frequencies move with the same speed
along opposite directions in a specific medium, then they superpose to produce
stationary waves.
 Finally, when two waves having slightly varying frequencies travel with the same speed
along the same direction in a specific medium, they superpose to produce beats.

In a superposition of waves, the crest and trough refer to the highest and lowest points of the
resulting wave at a specific point in space and time.

When two waves with the same frequency and amplitude

meet and add together, the resulting wave will have
points where the amplitudes of the individual waves are
in phase, and the amplitudes add up to form a larger
amplitude. These points correspond to the crest of the
resulting wave.Conversely, there will also be points where
the amplitudes of the individual waves are out of phase,
and the amplitudes cancel each other out. These points
correspond to the trough of the resulting wave.

The crest and trough are important features of a wave, as they determine the amplitude and
frequency of the wave. The amplitude is the distance between the crest and the trough, while
the frequency is the number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given period of time.

Superposition in Optic:
Superposition is an important concept in optics and is used to explain many phenomena
that occur when light waves interact with each other. Here are some examples:

Interference:

When two or more light waves meet at a point in space, their amplitudes add together
to form a new wave. This can result in constructive interference, where the amplitudes of the
waves add up to form a larger amplitude, or destructive interference, where the amplitudes of
the waves cancel each other out. Interference patterns can be observed when light waves pass
through a pair of narrow slits, forming a pattern of bright and dark fringes on a screen behind
the slits.

Diffraction:

When light waves pass through a small opening, they spread out and interfere with each
other, creating a diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern can be observed as a series of
bright and dark bands on a screen placed behind the opening.

Polarization:

When light waves are polarized, they oscillate in a specific direction. When two polarized
waves meet, they can interfere with each other and change the polarization of the resulting
wave.

Double refraction:

Some materials, such as calcite, exhibit double refraction, which means that they split
light waves into two rays that travel at different speeds and in different directions. The
superposition of these two rays can result in interference patterns and other optical effect

Conclusion:
Superposition Principle of Waves is a fundamental concept in physics that explains how
waves behave when they interact with each other. It is a principle that is applicable to all types
of waves, including sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and water waves. The principle
explains the phenomena of interference, diffraction, and coherence, which are essential to the
understanding of wave behavior. The Superposition Principle of Waves has wide-ranging
applications in various fields, including acoustics, optics, and seismology, and has contributed
significantly to our understanding of the universe