Wave Optics - Principle of Superposition

Description:

• Two or more waves can traverse the same space independently of one another.

• Thus the displacement of any particle in the medium at any given time is simply the vector sum of displacement that the individual waves would give it.

• This process of the vector addition of the displacement of a particle is called Superposition.

Types of Superposition

1. Constructive Superposition

When two waves are traveling in the same space and crest of both the waves hits the observer surface at the same instant then it is Constructive superposition.

In constructive superposition,

• Amplitude is doubled.
• Intensity is increased four times.

2. Destructive Superposition

When two waves are traveling in the same space and crest of one wave and through of other wave hits the observer surface at the same instant then it is Destructive superposition.

In destructive superposition,

• Amplitude is zero.
• Intensity is also zero (i.e. darkness).