What’s the phase difference?

1 of 41 © Boardworks Ltd 2009

 3.1.3 Superposition of waves 27/01/2023
State the principle of superposition (C)
Determine the net displacement of superposed waves (C)
Determine phase differences when waves cancel or reinforce (B)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

What will happen to the following if they meet at a

point?
• Two balls on a snooker table?
• Two cars on a motorway?
• Two waves on the surface of water?
 3.1.3 Superposition of waves 27/01/2023
State the principle of superposition (C)
Determine the net displacement of superposed waves (C)
Determine phase differences when waves cancel or reinforce (B)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

http://
www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/feschools/waves
/super.php
 3.1.3 Superposition of waves 27/01/2023
State the principle of superposition (C)
Determine the net displacement of superposed waves (C)
Determine phase differences when waves cancel or reinforce (B)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

The principle of superposition:

When two waves of the same type meet, the net
displacement at a point is the sum of the individual
displacements at that point
 3.1.3 Superposition of waves 27/01/2023
State the principle of superposition (C)
Determine the net displacement of superposed waves (C)
Determine phase differences when waves cancel or reinforce (B)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive
 3.1.3 Superposition of waves 27/01/2023
State the principle of superposition (C)
Determine the net displacement of superposed waves (C)
Determine phase differences when waves cancel or reinforce (B)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive
Investigating superposition

7 of 41 © Boardworks Ltd 2009

 3.1.3 Superposition of waves 27/01/2023
State the principle of superposition (C)
Determine the net displacement of superposed waves (C)
Determine phase differences when waves cancel or reinforce (B)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

Page 180
• Copy the Principle of Superposition
• Copy figure 1, labelling each as constructive or
destructive superposition
• Describe what happens when:
• 2 crests meet
• 2 troughs meet
• A crest and a trough meet
• Answer Q1 from the summary questions
 3.1.3 Superposition of waves 27/01/2023
State the principle of superposition (C)
Determine the net displacement of superposed waves (C)
Determine phase differences when waves cancel or reinforce (B)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

Page 180:
• Copy the Principle of
Superposition
• Copy figure 1, labelling each as
constructive or destructive
superposition
• Describe what happens when:
• 2 crests meet
• 2 troughs meet
• A crest meets a trough
• Answer Q1 from the summary
questions
 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

• Can you state the principle of superposition? (Without looking

it up?)
• What keywords would you use to describe these two types of
superposition? (As many keywords as you can think of for each!)

a
+
b
=
c
 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

SLOW intro demo:

http://www.walter-fendt.de/html5/phen/standingwavereflection_en.htm
 
PHET general waves on string animation
http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/wave-on-a-string/wave-on-a-string_en.html
 
PHET normal modes?
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/normal-modes/normal-modes_en.html
 
OVERALL summary of all
http://www.launc.tased.edu.au/online/sciences/physics/standing.html
 
GOOD Longitudinal modes animation
http://www.walter-fendt.de/html5/phen/standinglongitudinalwaves_en.htm
 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive
 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive
 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

Copy and complete:

• When two ___________ waves of the same __________ and similar
__________, but moving in opposite _________, meet (eg. when a wave is
________), a __________ wave (or standing wave) is formed.
• At some points, the waves superpose ____________, cancelling out to form
points of ____ amplitude called ______.
• At other points, the waves superpose ______________, reinforcing to form points
of __________ amplitude called __________.
Sketch a diagram of a stationary wave, labelling nodes and antinodes
amplitude, antinodes, constructively, destructively, directions, frequency,
maximum, nodes, progressive, reflected, stationary, zero
 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

Copy and complete:

• When two progressive waves of the same frequency and similar amplitude, but
moving in opposite directions, meet (eg. when a wave is reflected), a stationary
wave (or standing wave) is formed.
• At some points, the waves superpose destructively, cancelling out to form points
of zero amplitude called nodes.
• At other points, the waves superpose constructively, reinforcing to form points of
maximum amplitude called antinodes.
 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive
 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

Copy and complete the comparison table (use Pg 183):

Property Stationary waves Progressive waves

Energy Energy is stored in the wave

Waveform The “pattern” or “shape” of the

wave moves along
Frequency

Amplitude

Phase difference

Page 183: Q1-4

 3.1.3 Stationary waves 27/01/2023
State the difference between stationary and progressive waves (C)
Define nodes and antinodes (C)
Explain how a stationary wave is produced (C)
Keywords: phase, superposition, cancel, reinforce, constructive, destructive

Copy and complete the comparison table (use Pg 183):

Property Stationary waves Progressive waves

Energy Energy is stored in the wave Energy is transferred

Waveform Pattern of nodes and The “pattern” or “shape” of the

antinodes doesn’t move
Frequency Same at all points excepts
nodes
Amplitude Varies from zero at nodes to
max at antinodes
Phase difference Reverses each time a node is
passed
wave moves along
Same at all points
Same at all points
Varies continuously along
wave

Page 183: Q1-4

 3.1.3 Wave Harmonics 27/01/2023
Determine wavelength from the shape of a stationary wave pattern (C)
Calculate speeds, frequencies and wavelengths of stationary waves (B)
Explain the pattern of harmonic frequencies (A)
Keywords: stationary, progressive, harmonic, fundamental, node, antinode

• Can you state the principle of superposition? (Without looking

it up?)
• What keywords would you use to describe these two types of
superposition? (As many keywords as you can think of for each!)

a
+
b
=
c
Investigating stationary waves

20 of 41 © Boardworks Ltd 2009

Fundamental frequencies

21 of 41 © Boardworks Ltd 2009

 3.1.3 Wave Harmonics 27/01/2023
Determine wavelength from the shape of a stationary wave pattern (C)
Calculate speeds, frequencies and wavelengths of stationary waves (B)
Explain the pattern of harmonic frequencies (A)
Keywords: stationary, progressive, harmonic, fundamental, node, antinode

• Distance between adjacent nodes d=

2L/n
• Harmonics occur if length of string L=
• λ/2
Therefore the wavelength of the wave λ =
• Wave speed is constant, so the lowest frequency nλ/2
(fundamental frequency) f1 = nc/2L
• The nth harmonic occurs when f=
nf1
• Therefore harmonics happen at multiples of the
fundamental frequency fn = c/2L

L
Measuring the speed of sound

23 of 41 © Boardworks Ltd 2009

 3.1.3 Wave Harmonics 27/01/2023
Determine wavelength from the shape of a stationary wave pattern (C)
Calculate speeds, frequencies and wavelengths of stationary waves (B)
Explain the pattern of harmonic frequencies (A)
Keywords: stationary, progressive, harmonic, fundamental, node, antinode

Page 185:
• Q1-4
Page 187:
• Q6 calculations and diagrams
• Q7 written explanations
• Q8 application of knowledge
Stationary waves: true or false?

25 of 41 © Boardworks Ltd 2009