Superposition

Question 1

coherence

Answer 1

Waves with the same frequency and constant phase difference

Question 2

constructive interference

Answer 2

The type of interference that occurs when two waves meet in phase. The wave amplitudes are superposed

Question 3

destructive interference

Answer 3

The type of interference that occurs when the two waves are out of phase. When one wave is at peak and one is at a trough their addition results in a minimum point

Question 4

path difference

Answer 4

Path difference is the difference in the distance travelled by two waves at the meeting point. It measures how much a wave is shifted from another

Question 5

principle of superposition

Answer 5

When two waves meet at the same point in space their displacements combine and the total displacement at that point becomes the sum of the individual displacements at that point

Question 6

standing wave

Answer 6

also called stationary wave, combination of two waves moving in opposite directions, each having the same amplitude and frequency and type

Question 7

antinode

Answer 7

Position of max displacement in stationary wave

Question 8

node

Answer 8

position of minimum displacement in stationary wave

Question 9

diffraction

Answer 9

The spreading of a wave as it passes through a gap, or around an obstacle, of a similar magnitude to it’s wavelength

Question 10

fundamental frequency

Answer 10

The lowest frequency produced by any particular instrument

Question 11

overtone

Answer 11

any resonant frequency above the fundamental frequency or fundamental tone