Interference occurs when two or more waves are at the same location at the same time. For example, the wind ma y create tiny ripples on top of larger waves in the ocean. The superposition principle states that the total vibration at any point is the sum of the vibrations produced by the individual waves. tructive interference is when waves combine to make a larger wave. Destructive interference is when waves headphones work combine to make a wave that is smaller than either of the individual waves. Noise cancelling by producing a sound wave that perfectly cancels the sounds in the room. PRACTICE This worksheet will allow you to find the sum of two waves with different wavelengths and amplitudes. The table below (and continued on the next page) lists the coordinates of points on the two waves. 1. Use coordinates on the table and the graph paper (see last page) to graph wave 1 and wave 2 individually. Connect each set of points with a smooth curve that looks like a wave. Then, answer questions 2-9. 2. What is the amplitude of wave?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To provide the correct answer and explanation for the amplitude of wave 1, let’s first define what amplitude is and then walk through how to determine it from the graph or coordinates.
What is Amplitude?
Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium (rest) position. It measures how far the wave moves from its baseline (usually the x-axis) at its highest or lowest points. The greater the amplitude, the more energy the wave carries.
How to Determine Amplitude:
To find the amplitude of a wave, look at the maximum and minimum points of the wave’s displacement. Amplitude is typically defined as the distance from the equilibrium position (the x-axis, or baseline) to the highest (crest) or lowest (trough) point of the wave. The maximum value of the wave’s displacement from the baseline is the amplitude.
Given Coordinates:
Since the table with coordinates and graph paper are not provided in your question, let’s go over the general approach to determine the amplitude based on data or graphing:
- For a wave, if the highest point (crest) reaches a maximum value of, for example, +3 units above the x-axis, and the lowest point (trough) reaches -3 units below the x-axis, then the amplitude would be 3 units.
- Amplitude Calculation: The amplitude of a wave is the distance from the equilibrium (0) to the highest or lowest point, so in this example, the amplitude is 3 units.
Example:
Let’s say you have wave 1 and you see the crest reaches +5 units and the trough reaches -5 units. The amplitude would be 5 units because the displacement from the equilibrium (0) to either the crest or the trough is 5 units.
Explanation:
The amplitude gives you a sense of the energy present in the wave. For example, larger waves in the ocean, with higher crests and deeper troughs, have larger amplitudes and can carry more energy. For sound waves, higher amplitude means louder sounds, and for light waves, higher amplitude correlates with brighter light.