Superposition

Question 1

what is principle of superposition?

Answer 1

when 2 or more waves of the same type, meets at a point in space, the resultant displacement of the waves at any point is the vector sum of the displacements due to each wave acting independently at that point

Question 2

what are stationary waves?

Answer 2

waves whose waveform does not advance and there is no net translation of energy. their amplitude of the waves varies according to position from zero at them nodes to a maximum at the antinodes.

Question 3

what are the conditions for stationary waves to be formed?

Answer 3

2 progressive waves of the same frequency and same speed travelling in opposite directions towards one another have similar or identical amplitudes, being unpolarised or polarised along the same axes, are superposed

Question 4

what waves form stationary waves?

Answer 4

incident and reflected waves

Question 5

what are the characteristics of a stationary wave?

Answer 5

1. the waveform of the wave does not move and no net energy is transferred
2. certain points do not oscillate at all (nodes)
3. midway between the nodes, particles have the largest amplitudes (antinodes)
4. all points between adjacent node are in phase even if they do not have the same amplitude

Question 6

what is diffraction?

Answer 6

diffraction is the bending or spreading out of waves when they travel through a small opening or when they pass round a small obstacle

Question 7

what is does the rayleigh criterion state?

Answer 7

For the two patterns to be (just) distinguishable, the central maximum of one must lie on the first minimum of the other.

Comment: the word “resolved” is considered not clear (because “resolution” is used in the question).