Does Energy Redistribution in Wave Interference Happen Superluminally?

In summary, because energy cannot be destroyed, when waves interfere destructively the energy doesn't really disappear, it's simply redistributed to areas of constructive interference, right? But isn't this energy redistribution instantaneous?No, the energy flows continuously and always at speeds less than or equal to c.
  • #1
peter.ell
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Because energy cannot be destroyed, when waves interfere destructively the energy doesn't really disappear, it's simply redistributed to areas of constructive interference, right? But isn't this energy redistribution instantaneous?
 
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  • #2
No, the energy flows continuously and always at speeds less than or equal to c.
 
  • #3
The_Duck said:
No, the energy flows continuously and always at speeds less than or equal to c.

What about when a photon is measured? When you have a radio wave, it expands over many many meters, but then when a device picks it up it becomes measured and the entire photon localizes to that interaction point instantaneously.
 
  • #4
peter.ell said:
Because energy cannot be destroyed, when waves interfere destructively the energy doesn't really disappear, it's simply redistributed to areas of constructive interference, right? But isn't this energy redistribution instantaneous?

There is no redistribution of energy going on here!

Here, we are discussing classical waves that carry energy and momentum as they propagate through a vibrating medium. The wavefunction [tex]\psi (\vec r,t)[/tex] represents the displacement of the vibrating medium from its equilibrium position. In an interference experiment, some parts of the vibrating medium have a greater displacement than normal (constructive interference) and other regions have no displacement at all (destructive interference).

Where destructive interference occurs, the medium is not vibrating. That region never was vibrating. There is no such thing as “interference of displacements”. The medium can only vibrate in one direction at a time. It is impossible to get a medium to vibrate in opposite directions at the same time so that the total displacement “cancels out”. We need not worry about energy not being conserved.

If we set up the experiment so that interference occurs, then there are regions in the medium of enhanced displacement and regions of no displacement. Those regions are always there. There is no sudden destruction of the displacement going on and, likewise, there is no sudden transfer of energy from the “destructive” region to the “constructive” region in order to save conservation of energy.

Best wishes
 

FAQ: Does Energy Redistribution in Wave Interference Happen Superluminally?

1. What is energy redistribution in wave interference?

Energy redistribution in wave interference refers to the phenomenon where the energy of a wave is redistributed when it interacts with another wave. This can result in constructive interference, where the waves combine and increase in amplitude, or destructive interference, where the waves cancel each other out.

2. How does energy redistribution happen in wave interference?

Energy redistribution happens when two or more waves overlap and interact with each other. This can occur when waves of the same frequency meet, resulting in constructive or destructive interference, or when waves of different frequencies meet, resulting in a complex pattern of interference.

3. Can energy redistribution happen faster than the speed of light?

No, energy redistribution in wave interference cannot happen faster than the speed of light. According to the theory of relativity, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, including energy. The speed of light is the maximum speed at which information can be transmitted, and energy redistribution is a form of information exchange.

4. What are the implications of superluminal energy redistribution in wave interference?

If energy redistribution were to happen faster than the speed of light, it would violate the fundamental principles of physics, including causality and the theory of relativity. This would have significant implications for our understanding of the universe and could potentially lead to a complete overhaul of our current models of physics.

5. Is there any evidence of superluminal energy redistribution in wave interference?

No, there is no evidence of superluminal energy redistribution in wave interference. In fact, all existing evidence supports the idea that energy redistribution occurs at or below the speed of light. This is consistent with our current understanding of physics and the laws of nature.

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