IB Physics Topic C.3.2 Interference of Waves Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Physics Topic C.3.2 Interference of Waves Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

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Interference and Young’s Double-Slit Experiment

The Principle of Superposition

When two or more waves overlap, the total displacement at any point is the sum of the individual displacements of each wave.
This is called the principle of superposition.
The principle of superposition applies to all types of waves, including sound, light, and water waves.

Constructive and Destructive Interference

When waves overlap, they can interfere with each other in two main ways:

Constructive Interference:
1. Occurs when waves are in phase, for example when a crest meets a crest.
2. The resulting wave has a larger amplitude than the individual waves.
Destructive Interference:
1. Occurs when waves are out of phase, for example when a crest meets a trough.
2. The resulting wave has a smaller amplitude, and the waves can even cancel each other out completely.

Example

Consider two water waves meeting in a pond.
If their crests align, the water rises higher (constructive interference).
If a crest meets a trough, the water becomes flat (destructive interference).

Path Difference and Interference

The type of interference depends on the path difference between the waves.

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IB Physics C.3.2 Interference of Waves Notes

Interference and Young’s Double-Slit Experiment

The Principle of Superposition

Constructive and Destructive Interference

Path Difference and Interference

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Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Interference and Young’s Double-Slit Experiment

The Principle of Superposition

Constructive and Destructive Interference

Path Difference and Interference

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Topic A - Space, time and motion5 subtopics

Topic B - The particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Topic C - Wave behaviour5 subtopics

Topic D - Fields4 subtopics

Topic E - Nuclear and quantum physics5 subtopics

IB Physics C.3.2 Interference of Waves Notes

Topic A - Space, time and motion5 subtopics

Topic B - The particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Topic C - Wave behaviour5 subtopics

Topic D - Fields4 subtopics

Topic E - Nuclear and quantum physics5 subtopics

Interference and Young’s Double-Slit Experiment

The Principle of Superposition

Constructive and Destructive Interference

Path Difference and Interference

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Interference and Young’s Double-Slit Experiment

The Principle of Superposition

Constructive and Destructive Interference

Path Difference and Interference

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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