Chapter 1 Waves

2.1 ArahInterference
Mata AnginOf Waves
1.5 Analysing

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

Interference Of Waves
Interference happens when two wavefronts meet or arrive at the
same place

The waves will interfere constructively or destructively

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

Principle Of Superposition
Principle Of Superposition
According to the principle of superposition, when two waves overlap, the
resultant displacement is equal to the sum of the displacements of the
individual wave.

Constructive Interference

Destructive Interference

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

Interference Of Water Waves
The image below shows the interference pattern formed by two sets
of continuous coherent water waves.

The thick and thin lines

represent wave crests and
wave troughs respectively.

Points P, R, S : constructive interference = antinodes

Points Q, T : destructive interference = nodes

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

Interference Of Light Waves
Inteference of light waves occurs when two sets of coherent waves
emerged from a double-slit, overlap and interfere with each other.
Youngs double-slit experiment

Interference pattern
Bright fringes

Dark fringes

The bright and dark fringes corresponds to the constructive and

destructive interference respectively.

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

Interference Of Sound Waves
Interference of sound waves occurs when two sets of coherent sound
waves (produced by a common audio generator), overlap and interfere with
each other.

Constructive interference
Destructive interference

The loud and soft sound at different locations corresponds to the

constructive and destructive interference respectively.

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

Formula For Interference

= wavelength
a = distance between two coherent sources
x = distance between two consecutive nodes/antinodes
D = perpendicular distance from the source to the position
where x is measured.
Worked Example

ax

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

Formula For Interference
Two loud speakers which are placed 4m apart, connected to an audio
generator, generating sound waves of frequency 600Hz. The figure below
shows the loud and soft sounds detected along a line, 8m from the
loudspeakers.

Calculate the
a) wavelength
b) speed
of the sound waves.

Solution

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

Worked Example
To calculate the wavelength of
the sound waves.

To calculate the speed of the

sound waves.

a 4m
D 8m

Using

6.4
1.6m
4

ax
D
41.6

8
0.8m

f 600Hz

Using

v f
600 0.8
480ms-1

Chapter 1 Waves

Analysing Interference Of Waves

END OF CHAPTER
1.5 Analysing Interference Of
Waves