1.

5 Interference of
waves

Principle of Superposition
When two or morewaves meet,
the TOTAL DISPLACEMENT at any point
is the VECTOR SUM OF THE
DISPLACEMENTS THAT EACH
INDIVIDUAL wave would cause at that
point.

Constructive Interference and Anti-node

When 2 waves meet, there are places where the 2 waves are always in phase (same
phase) and the superposition of the waves produces oscillation with maximum
amplitude.
A place where constructive interference occurs is called the ANTI-NODE

Destructive Interference and Node

In the interference of 2 waves, there are also places where the 2 waves are
always anti-phase (phase difference = 180) and the superposition of the
waves produces oscillation with minimum amplitude.
A place where destructive interference occurs is called the NODE.

PHY232 - Remco Zegers interference, difraction &

polarization

double slit experiment

Interference in spherical waves

maximum of wave (crest) r =r
1
2

positive constructive interference

negative constructive interference
destructive interference

minimum of wave(trough)

FORMULA

= Wavelength
a = Distance between the two wave sources
x = Distance between two successive anti-node
lines or node lines
D = Distance from the wave sources to the plane
where x is measured.

When
x

When a
x

, what happen to x

??

x
, what happen to x ??
x 1/a

PROBLEM
SOLVING

Review
Superposition-The adding of waves
Constructive interference-Two crests meet or 2
troughs meet
Increase in amplitude
Anti-nodal
Produces bright bands of light

Destructive interference-A crest meets a

trough
Decrease amplitude or cancellation (NO amplitude)
Nodal
Produces dark bands of light