Wave Interference Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering concepts of constructive and destructive interference, amplitude, and displacement from wave interactions.

What happens to the amplitude of two pulses when they are directly on top of each other?

The new pulse has a maximum amplitude which is the sum of the amplitudes of the individual pulses (e.g., 8mm from A and B).

How is the vertical displacement of a point (P) determined when two pulses are passing through each other?

The vertical displacement of P is the sum of the displacements of pulses A and B.

Define destructive interference.

Destructive interference occurs when the resultant displacement is smaller than the displacement caused by one wave.

If Pulse A displaces point P upward by 2mm and Pulse B displaces point P downward by 1mm, what is the resultant displacement?

The resultant displacement of the pulse is 1mm upward.

In areas of a medium where interference does not occur, what dictates the position of the particles?

The position of the particles is that created by each individual wave.