Superposition

  • Principle of superposition
  • Interference - constructive and destructive
  • Standing waves
  • Musical acoustics
  • Interference in 1-D, 2-D and 3-D

ʉۢBeating

Principle of superposition

Particles bounce off each other in elastic collisions, or stick together in inelastic collisions. Waves pass through each other, with their displacements adding to make the displacement of the resultant wave.

A water drop filmed at 10,000 frames per second reveals complicated behavior called the coalescence cascade.

These wave pulses illustrate the principle of superposition. When they pass through each other, their displacements add.