When two or more waves come together at the same point, they undergo superposition where their disturbances are added or subtracted. If the waves are identical and in phase, they constructively interfere and their amplitudes add to produce a larger wave. If identical waves are out of phase, they destructively interfere and completely cancel each other out. The superposition of non-identical waves results in a more complex interference pattern as the disturbances vary in both amplitude and phase.

1. Superposition and
Interference
ALBERTO M. CATALUNA, JR.
https://youtube.com/channel/UCsJpFB14lEvJ-Queat7-S_A

2. These waves result from the superposition of several waves from different sources, producing a
complex pattern. (credit: waterborough, Wikimedia Commons)

3. When two or more waves arrive at the same
point, they superimpose themselves on one
another

4. More specifically, the disturbances of waves are
superimposed when they come together—a
phenomenon called superposition

5. Pure constructive interference

6. two identical waves that arrive at the same point exactly in phase. The
crests of the two waves are precisely aligned, as are the troughs. This
superposition produces pure constructive interference. Because the
disturbances add, pure constructive interference produces a wave that
has twice the amplitude of the individual waves, but has the same
wavelength

7. Pure destructive interference of two identical waves

8. two identical waves that arrive exactly out of phase—that is,
precisely aligned crest to trough—producing pure destructive
interference. Because the disturbances are in the opposite direction
for this superposition, the resulting amplitude is zero for pure
destructive interference—the waves completely cancel

9. Superposition of non-identical waves

10. An example of the superposition of two dissimilar waves is shown in
Figure 16.38. Here again, the disturbances add and subtract,
producing a more complicated looking wave

11. THANK YOU