Question

When two mechanical waves have a displacement in opposite directions, and they overlap, what will the resulting wave look like and why?
The new wave will have the same displacement as the original waves due to constructive interference.


The new wave will have a smaller displacement than either of the original waves due to destructive interference.


The new wave will have a greater displacement than either of the original waves due to constructive interference.


The new wave will have the same displacement as the original waves due to destructive interference.

Answer 1

The second one is the answer

Answer 2

Answer:

The new wave will have a smaller displacement than either of the original waves due to destructive interference.

Explanation:

As we know that the resultant displacement of two waves at a point where two or more waves are superimposed is given by the vector sum of the displacement due to each wave

So we will say

$\vec y = \vec y_1 + \vec y_2$

so here we can say that if the two particles which are superimposed are in same phase then it will constructive interference and the resultant displacement will be more than the individual displacement of each wave

while if the two particles are in opposite phase then this is known as destructive interference and the resultant displacement of the wave at that point is less than the individual displacement if each wave