Homework #8 Waves and Superposition

Most of this assignment involves reading and learning the concepts of path length difference and superposition/interference.
Please be sure to try out the suggested web sites, then answer the following questions: 1. Briefly define the following terms.
superposition

constructive interference

destructive interference

2. (Review question! See Chapter 1) For each of the following waves, give the amplitude and wavelength

a.

 

b.

 

3. Two waves approach each other on a slinky. One has an amplitude of 5 cm and the other has an amplitude of 8 cm.

a. As the waves pass through each other, what is the maximum value the amplitude can have?

b. What is the minimum value the amplitude can have?

c. Will these waves ever cancel (interfere completely destructively)?

 

If you'd like to see some wave interference, fill a sink with a few inches of water and when the water surface is still, gently tap your two index fingers at the edge of the water, creating circular waves that interfere as they move out. It works best if you are in a room where the light is above and behind you, then you can watch the progress of the waves by viewing their shadows on the bottom of the sink. Have fun playing!