If two wave of different amplitudes superpose at a point, would each

[brainyman89]

if two wave of different amplitudes superpose at a point, would each wave leave this point with the same amplitude before superposition, or will they leave the point of superposition with equal amplitudes?

 

[jeppetrost]

The beauty of superposition is that after the two waves have interfered, they leave 'unharmed'.
As a example where your second guess would be outrageous is if you have two waves one of which has zero amplitude (is it there, really? I don't know). After they interfered, there would be two waves. I don't think that's acceptable (and I'm not talking about any quantum effects here, guys!).

 

[brainyman89]

The beauty of superposition is that after the two waves have interfered, they leave 'unharmed'.

can yo tell me the reason why they leave unharmed

 

[jeppetrost]

Uhm, because they obey superposition :D
I don't think I have any kind of intuitive reason, or what you'd call it.
It's all in the equations really.

 

[PJC01]

The amplitude of a wave represents the maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position. In the case of two waves superposing at a point, the resulting amplitude at that point will depend on the individual amplitudes of the two waves and the phase difference between them.

If the two waves have the same amplitude and are in phase (peaks and troughs align), then the resulting amplitude at the point of superposition will be equal to the individual amplitudes. However, if the two waves have different amplitudes, the resulting amplitude at the point of superposition will be determined by the principle of superposition, which states that the amplitudes of the two waves will add together at that point.

Therefore, it is not accurate to say that each wave will leave the point of superposition with the same amplitude as before. The resulting amplitude will depend on the characteristics of the two waves and their interaction at the point of superposition. It is possible for the resulting amplitude to be equal to one of the individual amplitudes, but this is not always the case.

In summary, the amplitudes of the two waves will not remain unchanged after superposition. Instead, they will combine to form a new amplitude at the point of superposition. This is a fundamental principle in the study of waves and their behavior.