Write the equation of displacement of the resultant wave for two superposed waves with an initial phase difference.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
Let the two waves be represented by the equations:
$y_1 = A_1 \sin(\omega t)$
$y_2 = A_2 \sin(\omega t + \phi)$
where $A_1$ and $A_2$ are the amplitudes,$\omega$ is the angular frequency,$t$ is time,and $\phi$ is the initial phase difference.
According to the principle of superposition,the resultant displacement $y$ is the vector sum of the individual displacements:
$y = y_1 + y_2 = A_1 \sin(\omega t) + A_2 \sin(\omega t + \phi)$
Using the trigonometric identity $\sin(a + b) = \sin a \cos b + \cos a \sin b$:
$y = A_1 \sin(\omega t) + A_2 (\sin(\omega t) \cos \phi + \cos(\omega t) \sin \phi)$
$y = (A_1 + A_2 \cos \phi) \sin(\omega t) + (A_2 \sin \phi) \cos(\omega t)$
Let $A_1 + A_2 \cos \phi = R \cos \theta$ and $A_2 \sin \phi = R \sin \theta$,where $R$ is the resultant amplitude and $\theta$ is the phase constant.
Then,$y = R \cos \theta \sin(\omega t) + R \sin \theta \cos(\omega t) = R \sin(\omega t + \theta)$
where $R = \sqrt{A_1^2 + A_2^2 + 2A_1 A_2 \cos \phi}$ and $\tan \theta = \frac{A_2 \sin \phi}{A_1 + A_2 \cos \phi}$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

State the principle of superposition of waves.

Two waves have equations $x_1 = a \sin(\omega t + \phi_1)$ and $x_2 = a \sin(\omega t + \phi_2)$. If in the resultant wave the frequency and amplitude remain equal to the amplitude of the superimposing waves,the phase difference between them is ........

Two waves executing simple harmonic motion travelling in the same direction with same amplitude and frequency are superimposed. The resultant amplitude is equal to the $\sqrt{3}$ times the amplitude of individual motions. The phase difference between the two motions is $.....( ^{\circ)}$

The superposition takes place between two waves of frequency $f$ and amplitude $a$. The total intensity is directly proportional to

If two waves represented by $y_1 = 4 \sin \omega t$ and $y_2 = 3 \sin (\omega t + \frac{\pi}{3})$ interfere at a point,then the amplitude of the resulting wave will be about:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo