Lecture 6

The Principle of Superposition for Waves

Suppose that two waves travel simultaneously
along the same stretched string. Let y1(x, t)
and y2(x, t) be the displacements that the
string would experience if each wave traveled
alone.

The displacement of the string when the waves

overlap is then the algebraic sum

y’(x, t) = y1(x, t) + y2(x, t)

Overlapping waves algebraically add to produce a
resultant wave (or net wave)

Overlapping waves do not in any way alter the

travel of each other.
Interference of Waves
Suppose we send two sinusoidal waves of the same wavelength and
amplitude in the same direction along a stretched string.

y1(x, t) = ym sin(kx - 𝜔t) 𝜔 (f ), k (𝜆 ), ym , v are same

y2(x, t) = ym sin(kx - 𝜔t +𝜑)
Superposition principle, y’(x, t) = y1(x, t) + y2(x, t)
y’(x, t) = ym sin(kx - 𝜔t)+ ym sin(kx - 𝜔t +𝜑)
= ym {sin(kx - 𝜔t)+ sin(kx - 𝜔t +𝜑)}
= ym {2 sin ( 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡+ 𝑘𝑥
2
− 𝜔𝑡 +𝜑
) cos ( 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡− 𝑘𝑥+ 𝜔𝑡 − 𝜑
2
)}
= 2ym sin {2( 𝑘𝑥 −2𝜔𝑡) +𝜑} cos ( 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡− 𝑘𝑥+
2
𝜔𝑡 − 𝜑
)
= 2ym sin { 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑2} cos (−2𝜑)
y’(x, t) = [2ym cos (𝜑2)] sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑2) [traveling waves]

Resultant displacement = y’(x, t) 𝜑

Amplitude = [2ym cos ( 2 )]
𝜑
Oscillating term = sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 2 )
 If two sinusoidal waves of the same amplitude and wavelength travel in
the same direction along a stretched string, they interfere to produce a
resultant sinusoidal wave traveling in that direction.
Interfering waves: y1(x, t) = ym sin(kx - 𝜔t)
y2(x, t) = ym sin(kx - 𝜔t +𝜑)
𝜑 𝜑
Resultant wave : y’(x, t) = [2ym cos ( 2 )] sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 2 )

The resultant wave differs from the interfering waves in two respects:
𝜑 𝜑
(1) its phase constant is 2 and (2) its amplitude is y’m= [2ym cos ( 2 )]
(1) If 𝜑 = 0 rad (00): fully constructive interference

y’(x, t) = [2ym cos (02)] sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡+02) }

= [2ym cos0] sin 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡
y’(x, t) = 2ym sin 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 [greatest amplitude]
(2) If 𝜑 = 𝜋 rad (1800): fully destructive interference
y’(x, t) = [2ym cos (𝜋2)] sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜋2)
= [2ym (0)] sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜋2)
y’(x, t) = 0
 2𝜋
(3) If 𝜑 = rad (1200): intermediate interference
3
2𝜋 2𝜋
3 3
y’(x, t) = [2ym cos( )] sin {𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + ( )}
2 2
𝜋 𝜋
= 2ym cos ( ) sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + )
3 3
= 2ym (12) sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜋3)
y’(x, t) = ym sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜋3)
32. What phase difference between two identical traveling waves, moving in the
same direction along a stretched string, results in the combined wave having an
amplitude 1.50 times that of the common amplitude of the two combining waves?
Express your answer in (a) degrees, (b) radians, and (c) wavelengths.
y1(x, t) = ym sin(kx - 𝜔t)
y2(x, t) = ym sin(kx - 𝜔t +𝜑)
Superposition principle, y’(x, t) = y1(x, t) + y2(x, t)
y’(x, t) = ym sin(kx - 𝜔t)+ ym sin(kx - 𝜔t +𝜑)
= ym {sin(kx - 𝜔t)+ sin(kx - 𝜔t +𝜑)}
= ym {2 sin ( 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡+ 𝑘𝑥
2
− 𝜔𝑡 +𝜑
) cos ( 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡− 𝑘𝑥+ 𝜔𝑡 − 𝜑
2
)}
= 2ym sin {2( 𝑘𝑥 −2𝜔𝑡) +𝜑} cos ( 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡− 𝑘𝑥+
2
𝜔𝑡 − 𝜑
)
= 2ym sin { 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑2} cos (−2𝜑)
y’(x, t) = [2ym cos (𝜑2)] sin (𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑2)
𝜑
(a) [2ym cos ( 2 )] = 1.50 ym

cos (𝜑2) = 1.50/2

 cos (𝜑2) = 0.75
𝜑 −1
2 = cos (0.750)
𝜑
2 = 41.41
𝜑 = 2(41.41)
𝜑 = 82.820 Ans.
−1
(b) φ
2
= cos (0.75 rad)
φ
2 = 0.7227 rad
φ = 1.45 rad Ans.
c 2π rad = λ
λ
1 rad = ( )
2π λ
1.45 rad = 1.45 = 0.23λ Ans.
2π
Standing Waves
If two sinusoidal waves of the same amplitude and wavelength travel in
opposite directions along a stretched string, their interference with each
other produces a standing wave.
y1(x, t) = ym sin(kx - ωt) traveling waves
y2(x, t) = ym sin(kx + ωt )
Superposition principle, y’(x, t) = y1(x, t) + y2(x, t)
y’(x, t) = ym sin(kx - ωt) + ym sin(kx + ωt )
= ym {sin(kx - ωt)+ sin(kx + ωt )}
= ym {2 sin ( kx − ωt+2 kx+ ωt ) cos (kx − ωt−2 kx− ωt )}
= 2ym sin (2 kx
2
) cos ( −2ωt
2
)
y’(x, t) = [2ym sin kx]cosωt [standing wave]
Resultant displacement = y’(x, t)
Amplitude at position x = [2ym sin kx]
Oscillating term = cosωt
Nodes: The string never moves. The amplitude of the
resultant wave will be zero.
Amplitude = 2ym (sin kx) = 2ym (0) = 0
If sin kx = 0
sin kx = sin (0, π, 2π, 3π,…………)
sin kx = sin nπ for n = 0, 1, 2 , 3, … …
kx = nπ
2π
λ
x = nπ
x = n 2λ for n = 0, 1,2,3……….
Antinodes: The halfway between nodes are called
antinodes, where the amplitude of the resultant wave
will be maximum.
Amplitude = 2ym (sin kx) = 2ym (1) = 2ym
If sin kx = 1
sin kx = sin (1𝜋2, 3𝜋2, 5𝜋2…………)
1
sin kx = sin (n+ ) 𝜋 for n = 0, 1, 2 , 3, … …
2
1
kx = (n+ ) 𝜋
2
2𝜋 1
𝜆
x = (𝑛+ ) 𝜋
2
1 λ
x = (n+ ) 2 for n = 0, 1, 2, 3, ………..
2
 Type equation here.

Fig. In phase: at t= 0, 12𝑇,𝑇, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑠

𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦𝑠.
Fig. out of phase: at t= 14𝑇,34𝑇𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑠
𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦𝑠.

Nodes: some points never oscillate. Type equation here.

Antinodes: some points oscillate the most.

53. A string oscillate according to the equation
y′ = (0.50 cm) sin [(π/3 cm-1)x] cos [(40π s-1)t]. What are (a) the amplitude and (b)
the speed of the two waves (identical except for direction of travel) whose
superposition gives this oscillation? (c) What is the distance between nodes? (d)
What is the speed of a particle of the string at the position x = 1.5 cm when t = 9/8 s?
y′ = [(0.50 cm) sin {(π/3 cm-1)x}] cos [(40π s-1)t]
y’ = [2ym sin kx] cosωt
π π
Given, 𝑘 = rad/cm= rad/m; 𝜔 = 40π rad/s
3 0.03
(a) 2ym = 0.50 cm
2ym = 0.0050 m
ym = 0.0050/2 m
ym = 0.0025 m Ans.
ω 40π
(b) v = = π = 0.03(40) = 1.20 m/s Ans.
k
0.03
2π
𝜆 k ππ
(c) ∆𝑥 = = = = π = 0.03 m Ans.
2 2 𝑘
0.03
(d) y’(x, t) = [2ym sin kx] cosωt
The speed of a particle of a string is given by
𝜕𝑦’ 𝜕
u= = (2ym sin kx cosωt)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡
𝜕
= 2ym sin kx (cosωt)
𝜕𝑡
𝜕
= 2ym sin kx ( − sinωt) (ωt)
𝜕𝑡
= 2ym sin kx ( − sinωt) (ω)
= −ω 2ym sin kx (sinωt)
π
= −40 π 2(0.0025) sin {(0.03 )(0.015)} sin {40 π(9/8)}

= −40 π 2(0.0025) sin (π2 ) sin (45 π)

= {−40 π 2(0.0025) sin (π2 )} (0)
=0
56. A standing wave pattern on a string is described by y(x,t)=
0.040 (sin 5πx)(cos 40πt), where x and y are in meters and t is in
seconds. For x = 0, what is the location of the node with the (i)
smallest, (ii) second smallest, and (iii) third smallest value of x?
Solution:
Given, y(x,t)= 0.040 (sin 5πx)(cos 40πt)
Again, y (x,t) = [2ym sin kx] cosωt

Now, 2ym =0.040 m K= 5π rad/m ω = 40 π rad/s

For node, Sin 5πx = 0

5πx = nπ
x = n/5
(i) n=0, smallest value, x= 0 m
(ii) n=1, second smallest value, x= 1/5 m
(iii) n=2, third smallest value, x= 2/5 m