Superposition of 2 Similar Frequencies from Separate Sources

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of beats, which occur when two sounds of similar frequency are emitted from the same source. The conversation also explores the idea of what happens when two sounds of similar frequency are emitted from separate sources and how this can be solved by considering vector fields. It is also mentioned that beats can occur even when the sources are not in the same place, as demonstrated by musicians manually tuning instruments.
  • #1
Xbehave
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If 2 sounds of similar freq are emited from the same source you get beats, but what happens if two sounds of similar freq are emited from separate sources. I realize that its just superposition but i can't figure out what it would be like in the space between the two sources.
Im happy to initially assume that the 2 amplitude are the same and only consider the 2d plane between the two sources.
Is this easy to solve?
Is this problem best considerd in vector fields? if so then how?
 
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  • #2
The two frequencies do not have to be from the same source to get beats.
 
  • #3
Beats happen because of constructive and destructive interference. You can describe the sound pressure level from each source as a function of time and space. If the sources are not in the same place then you will have an interesting interference pattern in space, but even so if you listen for a while at any single point you will hear the beat frequency.
 
  • #4
Again there will be beats. An everyday illustration: Go somewhere where you can watch musicians manually tuning instruments, with respect to another instrument. The standard or reference instrument is one source, and the one being tuned is another, separated by some space. Tuning is done, the beats are gone - and as soon as beats are gone, they know, it's tuned

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1. What is the definition of superposition of 2 similar frequencies?

The superposition of 2 similar frequencies refers to the phenomenon where two waves with the same frequency intersect and combine to form a new wave. This new wave has an amplitude that is the sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves.

2. How does superposition of 2 similar frequencies occur?

Superposition of 2 similar frequencies occurs when two waves of the same frequency travel through the same medium and overlap with each other. The resulting wave is a combination of the two original waves, with a larger amplitude if the waves are in phase and a smaller amplitude if they are out of phase.

3. What is the significance of superposition of 2 similar frequencies in science?

The superposition of 2 similar frequencies is a fundamental principle in many areas of science, including physics, chemistry, and engineering. It helps explain the behavior of waves and is used in various applications such as signal processing, music, and even quantum mechanics.

4. Can superposition of 2 similar frequencies occur with any type of wave?

Yes, superposition of 2 similar frequencies can occur with any type of wave, including sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and even water waves. As long as two waves have the same frequency and intersect in the same medium, they will exhibit the phenomenon of superposition.

5. How is the superposition of 2 similar frequencies different from the superposition of 2 different frequencies?

The superposition of 2 similar frequencies is when two waves with the same frequency intersect, while the superposition of 2 different frequencies is when two waves with different frequencies intersect. The resulting wave in the former case will have a larger amplitude, while in the latter case, it will have a more complex waveform due to the combination of the two different frequencies.

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