OPTICS

TOPIC
SUPERPOSITIION PRINCIPLE AND
INTERFERENCE OF LIGHT
 Superposition principle

Interference of light waves

Coherence

TABLE OF CONTENTS Constructive Interference

Destructive Interference

Young’s Double slit Experiment

Problems
THE SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE
 OPTICS

THE SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE

The superposition principle states that when two or more waves overlap in space, the
resultant disturbance is equal to the algebraic sum of the individual disturbances.

If the response produced by input A is X and that

produced by input B is Y, then the response
produced by input A+B is X+Y.
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THE SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE

It is noted that the net displacement is the algebraic sum of displacements of individual waves.

Consider two waves are travelling alone and the displacement of these two waves can be represented
by y1(x, t) and y2(x, t).
When these two waves overlap, the resultant displacement can be given as y(x,t).
y (x, t) = y1(x, t) + y2(x, t)
The resultant wave is calculated by considering the sum of wave functions of travelling waves
y1 = f1(x–vt)
y2 = f2(x–vt)
yn = fn (x–vt)
Hence,
y = f1(x – vt)+ f2(x – vt)+ ……….…+ fn(x – vt)
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THE SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE

• When time = 0, the displacement of the red wave was -0.9

and

• The displacement of the green wave was -2.1.

• As a result, the displacement of the resultant wave will be

the vector sum of those, (-0.9)+(-2.1) = -3.

• This is simply the principle of superposition.

INTERFERENCE OF LIGHT WAVES
 OPTICS

INTERFERENCE OF LIGHT WAVES

• Interference is the phenomenon in which two waves superpose to form the

resultant wave of the lower, higher or same amplitude.

• Interference occurs when waves overlap and their resultant displacement is the sum of
the displacement of each wave
• This result is based on the principle of superposition and the resultant waves may be
smaller or larger than either of the two individual waves
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INTERFERENCE OF LIGHT WAVES

CONDITIONS FOR INTERFERENCE OF
LIGHT WAVES

(i) In interference the source of light should be monochromatic.

(ii) Here waves should be of the same frequency.

(iii) Direction of waves should also be the same.

(iv) The amplitudes of both the waves should also be the same.

(v) The slits of both the sources should be thin.

 OPTICS

INTERFERENCE OF LIGHT WAVES

Phase difference

Phase difference determines what the outcome is when you add two waveforms together. For example, adding two sine
waves (equal in amplitude and frequency) in phase gives you a second sine wave with double the amplitude, adding two
sine waves 180 degrees out of phase gives you no signal (zero for all time).

Path difference
Path difference is the difference in the distance traveled by two waves at the meeting point. It measures how much a
wave is shifted from another. The phase difference is simply the difference in the phase of the two traveling waves.
COHERENCE
 OPTICS

COHERENCE

• Coherence is vital in order to produce an

observable, or hearable, interference pattern

◦ Laser light is an example of a coherent light

source, whereas filament lamps produce
incoherent light waves
◦ When coherent sound waves are in phase, the
sound is louder because of constructive
interference
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COHERENCE

WHAT IS MEANT BY COHERENT SOURCES

The monochromatic sources of light which emit waves, having a constant phase difference, are called coherent sources.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COHERENT
SOURCES

The following features are shared by coherent sources:

• The generated waves have a constant phase difference or are in phase with each other.
• The waves are all of the same frequency.
• The amplitudes of the waves should be the same.
 OPTICS

COHERENCE

HOW TO OBTAIN COHERENT SOURCES

A common method to obtain the coherent light beam is to

use a monochromatic source to illuminate a screen
containing two small closely spaced holes, usually in the
shape of slits.

The light emerging from the two slits is coherent because a

single source produces the original beam and two slits serve
only to split it into two parts.
CONSTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE
 OPTICS

CONSTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE

• Constructive Interference: Interference that produces the greatest possible amplitude is called
fully constructive interference

Suppose if the crest of one wave falls on the crest of

another wave, then the amplitude is maximum.
This is constructive interference. Here both the
waves have the same displacement and the waves are
in phase.

•
 OPTICS

CONSTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE

PHASE DIFFERENCE

Δϑ
= 0, π, 2π, 3π, . . . . . . . .
2
Δϑ
= nπ n = 0,1,2,3,.....
2
Δϑ = 2nπ
 OPTICS

CONSTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE
PATH DIFFERENCE
Δx = 0, λ, 2λ, . . . . . .
Δx = nλ n = 0, 1, 2, 3,....
Δx
n=
λ
As we know that Δϑ = 2nπ , so putting value of n in it .
Δx
Δϑ = 2 π
λ
2π
Δϑ = Δx
λ
DESTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE
 OPTICS

DESTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE
• Destructive
interference: When the crest of one wave meets the trough of another wave, then the resultant
amplitude is given as the difference of two individual amplitudes. This is known as destructive interference.

Suppose if the crest of one wave falls on the trough of

another wave, then the amplitude here is minimum.
This is destructive interference. Here the waves do not have
the same displacement and the waves are out of phase.

•
 OPTICS

DESTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE
PHASE DIFFERENCE
Δϑ π 3π 5π
= , , , .......
2 2 2 2

( 2)
Δϑ 1
= n+ π , n = 0, 1, 2,.....
2

( 2)
1
Δϑ = n + 2π , n = 0, 1, 2, . . . . . . .
 OPTICS

DESTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE
PATH DIFFERENCE

λ 3λ 5λ
( 2)
Δx = , , , . . . . . . 1
2 2 2 Putting the value n +

( 2)
1 Δϑ Δx
Δx = n + λ , n = 0, 1, 2, . . . . . . . = π
2 λ

( 2)
Δx 1 2π
= n+ Δϑ = Δx
λ λ

( 2)
1
Δϑ = n + π
YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT
 OPTICS

YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT

An experiment, which was first performed by physicist

Thomas Young in 1801. It shows that light has both a wave
nature or characteristic and a particle nature or characteristic,
and that these natures are inseparable.
 OPTICS

YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT

 OPTICS

YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT

 OPTICS

YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT

 OPTICS

YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT

PROBLEMS
 OPTICS

PROBLEMS
 OPTICS

PROBLEMS
Two speakers are set up in a room and play a note of frequency 280 Hz. The waves are in phase as they leave the speaker. A
student walks 3.0 m between two speakers and hears quiet and loud spots as she moves.Calculate the number of quiet spots
the student hears as she walks.Speed of sound in air = 340 m s–1

Step 1: Calculate the wavelength

Wave equation: v = fλ
v 340
λ= = = 1.2 m
f 280

Step 2: Write down the condition for destructive interference

( 2)
1
Path difference= n + λ
 OPTICS

PROBLEMS
Step 3: Calculate the smallest path difference
The shortest path difference occurs when n = 0
λ 1.2
Shortest path difference = = = 0.6m
2 2
Therefore, the first quiet spot is at 0.6 m

Step 4: Calculate the next smallest path differences

3λ 3 (1.2)
When n= 1: Path difference = = = 1.8m
2 2
5λ 5 (1.2)
When n = 2: Path difference = = = 3.0m
2 2
Step 5: Write a concluding sentence

Therefore, in 3.0 m, the student hears 3 quiet spots

 OPTICS

PROBLEMS

• In the diagram, the number

of wavelengths between:
◦ S1 ➜ P1 = 6λ
◦ S2 ➜ P1 = 6.5λ
◦ S1 ➜ P2 = 7λ
◦ S2 ➜ P2 = 6λ

• The path difference at

point P1 is 6.5λ – 6λ = λ / 2
• The path difference at
point P2 is 7λ – 6λ = λ
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PROBLEMS
The diagram shows the interferences of coherent waves from two
point sources.
Which row in the table correctly identifies the type of
interference at points X, Y and Z.
 OPTICS

PROBLEMS

ANSWER: B
• At point X:
◦ Both peaks of the waves are overlapping
◦ Path difference = 5.5λ – 4.5λ = λ
◦ This is constructive interference and rules out options C and D

• At point Y:
◦ Both troughs are overlapping
◦ Path difference = 3.5λ – 3.5λ = 0
◦ Therefore constructive interference occurs

• At point Z:
◦ A peak of one of the waves meets the trough of the other
◦ Path difference = 4λ – 3.5λ = λ / 2
◦ This is destructive interference
 OPTICS

POINT TO PONDER

Remember, interference of two waves can either be:

In phase, causing constructive interference. The peaks

and troughs line up on both waves. The resultant
wave has double the amplitude

In anti-phase, causing destructive interference. The

peaks on one wave line up with the troughs of the
other. The resultant wave has no amplitude

Think of ‘constructive’ interference as ‘building’ the

wave and ‘destructive’ interference as ‘destroying’ the
wave.