Constructive Interference: Height Difference Matter?

AI Thread Summary
Constructive interference occurs when two waves are in phase, but they do not need to have the same amplitude for this to happen. Waves can constructively interfere even if one has a higher amplitude than the other, as long as they are within 90 degrees of each other in phase. Total destructive interference, where the resultant wave has zero amplitude, requires both waves to have equal amplitude and be 180 degrees out of phase. Partial destructive interference can still occur if the amplitudes differ. Understanding these principles is crucial for experiments involving wave interference and superposition.
Quantom
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Just curious...I know that constructive interference occurs when two waves are "in phase" but does this mean that the heights of the waves have to be the same? In other words... can two waves that are in phase with each other constructively interfere if one wave has a higher amplitude than the other?
 
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Quantom said:
Just curious...I know that constructive interference occurs when two waves are "in phase" but does this mean that the heights of the waves have to be the same?

No.

In other words... can two waves that are in phase with each other constructively interfere if one wave has a higher amplitude than the other?

Yes.
 
Thank you, that has been bothering me for a while...
 
it might not have been an issue, but I'm thinking that a good thing to point out is that the two waves don't have be perfectly in-phase to be constructive interference. but they have to be within 90o of each other to constructively interfere. only for totally destructive interference (where the result is nothing) must both the phase and amplitude be exactly something (180o outa phase and equal amplitude). otherwise either the phase or amplitude can be sloppy.
 
I intend to experiment with interference and superpostioning and its good to know that i don't have to be dead on for it work. Thanks...
 
People sometimes talk about total constructive interference and total destructive interference. For example, total destructive interference of two waves, where the resultant wave has amplitude everywhere zero, is only possible if the two superposed waves have the same amplitude. If they do not, partial destructive interference can still occur.
 
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