If displacements due to two individual waves are yl and y2. Then the resultant displacement, y, of the particle of the medium is:
Correct answer: D. y = yl + y2
- A. y = yl * y2
- B. y = yl / y2
- C. y = yl - y2
- D. y = yl + y2
Explanation
When two waves superpose in a medium, the resulting displacement of the particle in the medium is given by the sum of the individual displacements caused by each wave. This principle is known as the principle of superposition.Mathematically, if the displacements caused by two individual waves are represented as yl and y2, then the resultant displacement y of the particle is obtained by adding these two displacements together. Therefore, the correct expression is y = yl + y2. This means that the particle's displacement at any given point in the medium is the sum of the displacements caused by each wave separately.
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About Superposition and Interference
Superposition states that overlapping waves produce a resultant displacement equal to the algebraic sum of their individual displacements. Interference covers constructive and destructive interference, phase difference, path difference, coherent sources, and conditions for maxima and minima. It differs from diffraction, which involves spreading around openings or obstacles.
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