Solutions to Superposition

Level 1

1. E
Let the amplitude and the intensity of the wave from each slit arriving at the screen be
A and Io where Io = k A2
At the centre of the fringe pattern (which is a bright fringe) at the screen,
the resultant amplitude = 2 A.

Thus the resultant intensity of the bright fringe, I =k (2A)2 = 4 k A2 = 4 Io

Therefore, if one of the slit is covered, the measured intensity will be I/4

2. D
The wave in the tube will have the same speed v whether the tube is closed or open.
For closed tube For open tube
L L

L = /4 = 4L L = /2 = 2L

For closed tube, f = v/ = v/4L

For open pipe, f = v/ = v /2L = 2 f

3. C
d sin = n => sin = n /d 1
n d / = (2105)-1 / 600 x 10-9 = 8.3
When n = 8, (210 ) sin = 8 (600 x 10-9)
5 -1

= 73 7

4. C
d sin = n => sin = n / d 1
n d / = (5105)-1 / (610-7) = 3.3
Largest order of n = 3 no of lines = 3 + 1 + 3 = 7

5. D
For Constructive interference, path difference = n where n = 0, 1, 2
For X, path difference = P2X P1X = 4 - 2 = 2
For Y, path difference = P2Y P1Y =2 - 1 =
For Z, path difference = P2Z P1Z = 0
Thus all 3 points (X , Y and Z) undergo constructive interference.

6. D
Amplitude of resultant wave = sum of individual amplitudes and
Energy is proportional to (amplitude of resultant wave)2.

7. D
The longest arrows are where the antinodes are while the dots are where the nodes
are. And in a stationary wave, particles in adjacent segments are in anti-phase.
Option D has three antinodes an 2 nodes

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8. B
Use the data on blue light to find d. Then calculate the wavelength of the impurity.
For blue light ,
d sin = n
d sin 15.8o = 435.8 x 10-9
d = 435.8 x 10-9 / sin 15.8o
For the red light
(435.8 x 10-9 / sin 15.8o) sin 23.7o = (1)
= 6.433 x 10-7 m

9. A
Min value of r is when the path diff is one wavelength.
r 2r = 0.400
r ( - 2) = 0.400 => r = 0.35

10. B
d sin = n .
Since d and are same when they overlap, ngreen/nred = red/ green.
= 640 /480 = 4/3
i.e the first overlap takes place when the 4th order of green overlaps with 3rd order of
red

11. D
1/N1 sin 45 = 2 (1)
1/N2 sin 45 = 3 (2)
(2)/(1), N1/N2 = 3/2 = 1.5

12. D
To satisfy the boundary conditions of the open end being an antinode and the closed
end being a node, there is always no node or antinode at the centre of the tube.

13. (a) (i) Superposition of waves is the interference of waves in the same region and
at the same time so as to form regions of maxima (bright) and minima
(dark) due to waves meeting constructively and destructively respectively.
The net displacement at a given place/position is the vector sum of the
individual displacements which would have been produced by the
individual waves.

(ii) 1. D
x
a
Assumption : D>> a
2. 450 10 9 4.00
x 2.3 10 4 m
0.0080

(b) (i) Since the wavelength of red light is larger than for blue light, the fringe
separation will be larger, and the red fringes will be further apart.

(ii) White light consists all the seven colours of rainbow with red having the
longest wavelength and violet the shortest wavelength. White light is a
continuous spectrum from about violet to red (400-700 nm). The central
fringe is white. The zeroth order fringes of all the wavelengths coincide at
the centre where the path difference from the 2 slits is zero for all
wavelengths!

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14 (i) Interference is the superposition of waves in the same region and time so as to
form regions of maxima (bright) and minima (dark) due to waves meeting
constructively and destructively respectively.

(ii) Red light from bulb (which is an extended source) is not coherent.

(iii) 1 For the third order bright fringe from the central bright fringe,
the path difference = 3
Phase difference = 0 or 6

2 D
Using fringe separation, x
a
since D and a are constant,
x is directly proportional to ,
x2 2 x2 450

x1 1 2 633
Fringe separation, x2 1.42 mm

(iv) The contrast between bright and dark fringes will be less distinct as the bright
fringes will become less bright and dark fringe will not be as dark. This is
because the amplitude of one of the waves is reduced when the intensity
reduces, and hence complete cancellation does not take place at the minima.

15 (i) Path difference = 1.18 1.00 = 0.18 m = 0.18 / 0.040 = 4 5

The waves arrived at P is 180 out-of-phase and destructive interference takes
place, therefore minimum intensity is obtained at P.

(ii) 2
Intensity at P Amplitude at P 2 A A
2

0.111
Intensity at O Amplitude at O 2 A A

(iii) The path difference varies from zero at O to 4.5 at P.

Maxima occurs when n where n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Minimum occurs when n 1
2 where n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.
So total number of minimum and maximum points is 10 (5 minima including P +
5 maxima including O)
(iv) Constructive interference.

16. (a) Two sources are said to be coherent sources if they maintain a constant phase
difference with respect to each other.

(b) (i) Period of Wave, T = 2.00 10-10/3

= c/f = cT = 3.00 108 (2.00 10-10/3) = 0.0200 m = 2.0 cm

(ii) Intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.

Required ratio = (dXP/dWP)2 = 1.03

(iii) Path difference = 4 5 cm = 2 25 phase difference = /2 rad

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 (iv)
Displacement

0
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
Time/10-10 s

(v) At path difference of 2 and 1

(vi) x = L/d
0.225/2.25 = 0.020(3.000)/d d = 60 cm

17. (a) The sound wave reflected at the closed end will superpose/interfere with
the incident wave from the open end. Stationary waves of characteristic [1]
frequencies will be formed.

Only sound waves whose frequencies are equal to the natural/resonant [1]
frequencies of the air column are heard loudly because they are of larger
amplitude.

The natural/resonant frequencies are determined by the boundary

conditions; in this case the closed end must be a node and the open end [1]
an antinode. Thus one sees that only particular wavelengths and hence
frequencies can be set up.

(b)

Zero amplitude at closed end and maximum amplitude at open end. [1]
Vibrations are parallel to the axis of the column.(use double arrow) [1]

(c) (i) Length of air column L = /4, => => 4L [1]

Speed of sound wave : v = f

Frequency : f = v/ = v/4L = 340/(4)(2.5) = 34 Hz [1]

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 (ii) The first overtone has one node between the two ends of the pipe.
Length of air column L = 3/4, => => 4L/3
Frequency : f = v/ = v/[4L/3]
= 3v/(4L) = 3f = 3 x 34 = 102 Hz [1]

(d) In this case, having no speed means that (at steady state) the wave profile
does not advance (or the nodes and antinodes do not progress).
A stationary wave can be broken down into two component progressive
waves travelling in opposite directions. [1]

The product f refers to the speed of the component progressive waves. [1]

18. (a) (i) Any 2 of the conditions below

The two sources must be coherent i.e. they must maintain a constant phase
difference with respect to each other.
The two waves have about the same amplitude.
The two waves must be of the same type / nature.
The two waves must be either unpolarised or have about the same plane of
polarization.

(ii) Let amplitude of wave Q be AQ and since I is proportional to A2

2
I A
2
0.64 I A Q

AQ = 0.8A
Maximum intensity occurs when constructive interference occurs.
Amplitude during constructive interference = 1.8 A
2
I A
2
I max
(1.8 A)
Thus Imax = 3.2 I

(b) (i) v f
v 330
0.200 m
f 1650

(ii) S2D = 3.812 10.02 10.7 m

(iii) 1. Path difference = 10.7 10 0 = 0 7 m = 3 5

Phase difference, = 0 5 x 2 = rad or 180o

2. The waves meet out of phase at D and thus results in destructive

interference. Therefore a minimum of intensity m is formed.

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 (iv) The frequency can be varied such that the path difference is 6.5
wavelengths. A minimum will be detected when the path difference
corresponds to 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5 wavelengths.

If path difference is 6 5 1, then

6 5 1 = 3 5
v v
6.5 3.5 where v is the speed of sound wave
f1 f
6.5
f1 1650 3060 Hz
3.5

Level 2

1 B
LD2 = (402 + 92) = 41 m
Path difference = 41 40 = 1 m
When 1 m is equal to 1 wavelength, the first maximum is observed.
f = v / = 330 / 1 = 330 Hz

2 B
Path difference = 1.2 m
Maxima occur when the path difference = n where is the wavelength of the sound
and n = 1, 2,
Since speed of wave in air remain the same as the frequency is changed,
1.2 = n = n v/ f = n v/ 1000 = (n+1) v / 1200 n = 5
therefore 1.2 = n = 5 (v/1000)
v = 240 m s-1

3 C
Organ pipe is closed pipe (open at one end and closed at the other end.
L

L = /4 = 4L
Since v = f
340 = 50 (4 L)

L = 1.7 m

4 B
Fringe width = distance between two adjacent maxima detected by satellite = H/d
If the frequency of maxima heard is f then the time between two adjacent maxima
detected is 1/f
Distance between adjacent maxima = v/f
dv
Hence v/f = H/d =
f H

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5 (a) (i) It is formed by the superposition of two sound waves that are
travelling in opposite direction, along the same path. They must have
the same frequency (or wavelength). For it to be well-defined, the
two waves should be of about the same amplitude. [2]

(ii) Antinodes are regions in a stationary wave where the medium

oscillate at maximum amplitude. At nodes, the amplitude of [2]
oscillation is zero.

(iii) In a stationary wave, all particles within a segment, bounded by two

adjacent nodes, oscillate in phase. Particles between adjacent
segment are out of phase. Any two particles in a stationary wave are
either moving in phase or out of phase!

In a progressive wave, the phase of oscillation varies continuously

along its path. All particles that are whole number of wavelengths
apart are in phase. [2]

(iv) internodal separation = s/2

= 6.6/(21-1) = 0.33 [1]

speed of the wave : v=fss, v = (500)(2)(6.6/20) = 330 m s-1. [1]

(b) (i) In the tube, incident and reflected ultrasonic waves overlap to form a
standing sound wave along the length of the tube. Sound wave is a
longitudinal wave. It sets up alternate, regularly spaced zones of
compression and rarefaction along the tube. Density is high at [2]
compression but low at rarefaction.

(ii) slit separation = distance between adjacent striation

= wavelength of ultrasound
d =s =v/fs

grating equation : dsin = n, for nth order diffracted

beam
(v/fs)sin = n, [2]
hence fs = (vsin)/(n)

(iii) Sub. fs = (v sin)/(n) = (1350)(sin1.5)/(10)(590x10-9) [1]

= 5.988 x 106 Hz 6 0 MHz [1]

(iv) Counting of the beams cannot be done if the zeroth and the first
order beams cannot be recognized separately as they are closer
than the rest.
[1]
As such, the minimum angle of diffraction of the first order beam
0.115
[1]
Min. freq. of ultrasound: f = v sin / (1350)(sin
0.115)/(1)(590x10-9)
4.59 x 106 Hz 4 6 MHz

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6 (a) 1. similar amplitude
2. coherence of waves
3. similarly polarized (or unpolarized), for transverse waves.
(Any two of the three. Condition of wave overlapping is not
acceptable in this case as it is specified in the question that the 2
waves meet.)

2. coherence of waves

3. similarly polarized (or unpolarized), for transverse waves.

(Any two of the three. Condition of wave overlapping is not acceptable in

this case as it is specified in the question that the 2 waves meet.)

(b) (i) t
BDE = 2
cos( / 2)
= (2)(1.2510-7)/(cos 1.0)

= 2.5003 x 10-7

= 2.50 x 10-7 m (3 s.f.)

(ii) 2.5003x10-7 x 1.32 = 3.30 x 10-7 m (3 s.f.)

(iii) The light undergoes a phase change of radians at one of the boundaries.

(The light experiences a phase change of rad when reflected at B.

Student not required to know which boundary phase change occurs at,
merely that it can only be at one boundary otherwise condition becomes
m if both reflections. Answers such as a phase change of rad occurs
upon reflection is insufficient.
Students have been exposed to phase change upon reflection in the
Lloyds mirror example in the lecture notes.
Answers cannot be too vague such as the waves are not in phase or the
waves are no longer in phase (higher order thinking)

(iv) 3.30x10-7 m = (660 nm)

As this fulfils the criteria for constructive interference (given in iii)), the 2 rays
interference constructively.
(deduces that the optical path difference is (m - ) of the wavelength (or based
on their answer; then corresponds it to the criteria given in iii))

(v) Light incident on the soap film is composed of many colours. In the above
example only the 660 nm wavelength gave rise to constructive interference,
thus giving a strong red appearance. The angle the incident light makes with
the soap film will affect which wavelengths satisfy the condition for constructive
interference and thus which colours are observed.

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7 (a) (i) Diffraction is the bending or spreading of waves as they round the edge of a
barrier or as they pass through apertures.

(ii) Low-pitched notes have longer wavelengths and undergo more diffraction
through the door.

(b) (i) Distance D must be much longer than distance two adjacent slits of the grating

(ii) Slit separation, d = 1/p

path difference x = d sin = 1/p sin

(iii) Hence Constructive interference occurs when

1/p sin = n where n = 0, 1, 2,
Where n is the order of the spectrum and is the angle of diffraction between
the diffracted ray and the direction of incident light.

(c) (i) angular speed of grating, = 2 / T = 2 / 3 = 2.09 = 2.1 rad s-1

(ii) Peak C corresponds to the zeroth order of the interference pattern whereas
peaks B and D the first order and Peaks A and E the second order.

The height of each peak is due to diffraction effect.

(iii) Hence, time to shift from zeroth order to the first order through 1.7 cm on the
screen is 1.7 x 0.1 = 0.17s
t = 0.17 s , 1st order

1.7 cm

1
t = 0 s, 0th order

D = (2 / 3 ) 0.17 rad = 0.355 rad = 0.36 rad

Similarly time from the zeroth order to 2nd order = 3.7 x 0.1 = 0.37 s

E = (2 / 3 ) 0.37 rad = 0.773 rad = 0.77 rad.

(iv) Using the grating equation

sin 2 = 2 x 5.5 x 105 x
= 636 nm

(v) Peak E is preferred as the angle is larger and the percentage error for
calculating the wavelength is smaller.

(vi) Since the slit separation remains the same, the fringe separation remains the
same. However, the peaks are less intense (poorer contrast) and less sharp
(broader and less defined).

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8 (a) The principle of superposition states that if two or more waves of the
same kind exist simultaneously at a point in space, the resultant
displacement at that point would be the sum of the individual
displacement of each wave.
OR
The principle of superposition states that if two or more waves of the
same kind exist simultaneously, the resultant displacement at any point
at any time is the sum of the individual displacement of each wave. [2]

(b) (i) Displacement at A = 0.00 cm or corresponding value in m

Displacement at B = 0.85 0.05 cm or corresponding value in m

Displacement at C = 0.85 0.05 cm or corresponding value in m

Displacement at D = 0.50 cm or corresponding value in m [2]

(ii)

[1]

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 Note:
Sinusoidal wave of same amplitude and same wavelength. [1]
Peak of wave Q slightly displaced to the right of the y-axis between
the 2nd and 4th small division. [1]
Correct position of displacement of Q at the nodes of the stationary
wave.

(c) (i) The sound wave reflects off the bench. [1]

The incident and reflected waves superpose/interfere with each [1]

other.

Maximum amplitude is detected at when the waves interfere

constructively. Minimum amplitude is detected when the waves [1]
interfere destructively.

Dips in the waveform Position of nodes, and

[1]
Distance between 2 consecutive nodes =
2

Therefore, 3( ) 18.0 2.6 cm = 10.3 cm [1]
2
Hence speed of the sound wave
v f (3.20 103 Hz)(10.3 102m) = 330 m s1 [1]

(iii) As x increases, the reflected wave is weaker and the incident [1]
wave stronger.

There is more complete cancellation of the incident and reflected

waves near the bench-top and less complete cancellation as x
increases. [1]

11
9 (a)

(b) (i) Constructive interference is produced when the waves from Y and X arrive at
P in phase.
The wave displacements of X and Y reinforce each other to produce a
maximum wave amplitude at P.
(ii) 6.0 cm of path difference corresponds to 60o of phase difference.
Hence the wavelength = 6 x 6 0 = 36 cm
From the graph, period T of the wave = 1.06 ms.
Hence, the velocity of wave = 0.36/(1.06 x 10-3) = 340 m s-1
(iii) The velocity of the waves indicates that both X and Y are sources of sound
waves.

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