Graphical Analysis Of Superposition

Description:

Constructive Superposition

Phase difference is the difference between some reference point in two waves. It’s how much one wave is shifted from the other.

Phase difference (Φ) between two waves for constructive superposition should be an even multiple of 2Π, i.e.,

Φ = 0, 2Π, 4Π, ........., n2Π {n = 0, 1, 2, ......}

Path difference is the difference in path traversed by the two waves, measured in terms of wavelength of the associated wave.

Path difference between two waves for constructive superposition should be an integral multiple of  λ, i.e.,

Path difference = 0, λ, 2λ ,………, nλ {n = 0, 1, 2, ……}

Relationship between phase difference and path difference −

2Π phase difference = 1λ path difference

Destructive Superposition

Phase difference (Φ) between two waves for destructive superposition should be an odd multiple of Π, i.e.,

Φ = Π, 3Π, 5Π, . . . . . . ., (2n+1)Π  {n = 0, 1, 2, ……}

Path difference between two waves for destructive superposition should be an odd multiple of  λ/2, i.e.,

Path difference = λ/2, 3λ/2, 5λ/2………, (2n+1)λ/2 {n = 0, 1, 2, ……}