splitting a wave

[bagur]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
how do u split a resultant wave(formed by interference of many)into its constiuent waves?(practically){not light,i'm actually thinking of sound,beats}

2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution
i tried to use the fourier series,and split it into sine and cosine waves.how do u do it practically???

[lanedance]

if its a light wave with different frequency components, a prism or diffraction grating would do the trick.... or 2 mirrors a tunable distance apart to pick out frequencies

[bagur]

no sir,i'm actually thinking of sound and beats formed

[lanedance]

ok - so do you mean mathematically? or experimentally...

maybe if you show what you tried, it will help me understand :)

[bagur]

like the one inthe fig attached.how do u split these waves experimentally?what about the ones that have no order,say like the group wave associated with an electron.i tried to use fourier series to get periodical sine and cosine waves.but i dont know how to do it experimentally.