Waves-II
Phy 107 course
Zaid Bin Mahbub (ZBM)
DMP, SEPS, NSU
Overlapping waves algebraically add to produce a resultant
wave (or net wave).
Overlapping waves do not in any way alter the travel of each
other.
Overlapping waves algebraically add to produce a resultant wave (or net
wave). Overlapping waves do not in any way alter the travel of each
other.
If two sinusoidal waves of the
same amplitude and
wavelength travel in the same
direction along a stretched
string, they interfere to produce
a resultant sinusoidal wave
traveling in that direction.
Conditions for Interference
Interference that produces the greatest possible amplitude is called fully constructive interference.
𝜑
When 𝜑 = 0 Amplitude = 2𝑦𝑚 cos = 2𝑦𝑚
2
Interference that produces zero amplitude (no motion of the string) is called fully destructive interference.
When 𝜑 = 𝜋 (𝑜𝑟 1800 ) Amplitude = 0
Note that when interference is neither fully constructive nor fully destructive, it is called intermediate
interference.
Conditions for Interference
Amplitude = 2𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜑/2)
Maximum, amplitude = 2y, when, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜑/2 = 1
𝜑/2 = 0, 2𝜋, 4𝜋, means, 𝜑 = 0, 4𝜋, 8𝜋.. (cyclic repetitions) conditions for constructive
interferences
Minimum when, amplitude = 0, means 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜑/2 = 0
𝜑/2 = 𝜋/2, 5𝜋/2,.. means, 𝜑 = 𝜋, 5𝜋.. (cyclic repetitions) conditions for destructive
interferences
Conditions for Interference
The resultant wave depends on
the extent to which the waves
are in phase (in step) with
respect to each other—that is,
how much one wave form is
shifted from the other wave
form.
If the waves are exactly in
phase, they combine to double
the displacement of either
wave acting alone. If they are
exactly out of phase, they
combine to cancel everywhere,
and the string remains straight.
All are coherent, means their phase differences constant..
Amplitude, frequency, wave number they are same as usual..
https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/04waves_11superposition/ejss_model_wave1d01/wave1d01_Simulation.xhtml
Interference patterns will be produced by any two sources
whose phase difference remains constant. Two sources that
remain in phase or maintain a constant phase difference are
said to be coherent.
Coherent sources of water waves in a ripple tank are easy to
produce by driving both sources with the same motor.
Coherent sound sources are obtained by driving two speakers
with the same signal source and amplifier.
Wave sources whose difference in phase is not constant, but
varies randomly, are said to be incoherent sources. There are
many examples of incoherent sources, such as two speakers
driven by different amplifiers or two violins played by
Phase difference due to path difference
A common cause of a phase difference between two waves is
different path lengths between the sources of the waves and the
point where the interference occurs.
Suppose that two sources oscillate in phase (positive crests leave the
sources at the same time) and emit harmonic waves of the same
frequency and wavelength.
Conditions for Interference
Now consider a point in space for which the path lengths to the two
sources differ. If the path difference is one wavelength, as is the case
in Figure, or any other integral number of wavelengths, the
interference is constructive.
If the path difference is one-half of a wavelength or an odd number
of half wavelengths, as in Figure, the maximum of one wave at the
same time as the minimum of the other and the interference is
destructive.
The wave functions for waves from two sources oscillating in phase
can be written,
𝑦1 = 𝑦𝑚 sin(𝑘𝑥1 − 𝜔𝑡) and 𝑦2 = 𝑦𝑚 sin(𝑘𝑥2 − 𝜔𝑡)
Corresponding phase difference,
𝜑 = 𝑘𝑥2 − 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥1 − 𝜔𝑡 = 𝑘 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 = 𝑘∆𝑥
𝟐𝝅
𝝋= ∆𝒙
𝝀
PHASE DIFFERENCE DUE TO PATH DIFFERENCE
If two sinusoidal waves of the
same amplitude and wavelength
travel in opposite directions
along a stretched string, their
interference with each other
produces a standing wave.
Few points will not move from their
position at all called the nodes
Few points will move at maximum
amplitude from their position called
the antinodes
Conditions for Standing Waves
Amplitude = 2𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑥
Amplitude maximum = 2𝑦, when, 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑥 = 1; 𝑘𝑥 = 𝜋/2;
That condition is named “Antinode”
using, 𝑘 = 2𝜋/𝜆 , (2𝜋/𝜆) 𝑥 = 𝜋/2; thus 𝑥 = 𝜆/4
Similar thing for 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑘𝑥 + 2𝜋) = 1;
When two wave path difference 𝑥 = 𝜆/4 maximum amplitude.
𝑘𝑥 = 𝜋/2 then next cycle, 𝑘𝑥 = 𝜋/2 + 2𝜋;
𝑘𝑥 = 5𝜋/2, 9𝜋/2..
𝑘𝑥 = (2𝑚 + 1) 𝜋/2, where, 𝑚 = 0, 2, 4, 6…
𝑥 = 𝜆/4; next cycle 𝑥 = 𝜆/4 + 𝜆 = 5𝜆/4 similarly, 9𝜆/4, 13𝜆/4….
Conditions for Standing Waves
Amplitude = 2𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑥
Amplitude minimum, 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑥 = 0; when 𝑘𝑥 = 0;
𝑘 = 2𝜋/𝜆 means 2𝜋𝑥/𝜆 = 0; thus 𝑥 = 0;
That condition is named “Node”
𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑘𝑥 + 2𝜋) = 0
𝑘𝑥 = 0 then, 𝑘𝑥 = 2𝜋; 𝑘𝑥 = 4𝜋..
𝑘𝑥 = (2𝑚)𝜋, where, 𝑚 = 0, 1, 2, 3…
𝑥 = 𝑚𝜆; 𝑚 = 0, 1, 2, 3 …
Standing Waves and Resonance
For certain frequencies, the interference produces a standing wave pattern (or oscillation mode)
with nodes and large antinodes.
Such a standing wave is said to be produced at resonance, and the string is said to resonate at
these certain frequencies, called resonant frequencies.
If the string is oscillated at some frequency other than a resonant frequency, a standing wave is
not set up. Then the interference of the right-going and left-going traveling waves results in only
small, temporary (perhaps even imperceptible) oscillations of the string.
https://ophysics.com/w3.html
T is the tension in the string
μ is the mass per unit length of the string
https://ophysics.com/w7.html
Conditions for Standing Waves
We find that if a periodic force is applied to such a system, the amplitude of the resulting motion of the string
is greatest when the frequency of the applied force is equal to one of the natural frequencies of the system.
This phenomenon, known as resonance, was discussed with regard to a simple harmonic oscillator.
Although a block–spring system or a simple pendulum has only one natural frequency, standing-wave
systems have a whole set of natural frequencies. For waves on a string fixed at both ends, the natural
frequencies are
nv n 𝑇
𝑓𝑛 = = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑛 = 1,2,3, …
2L 2L 𝜇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFAcYruShow
