Help w/ constructive interference sound wave intensity

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To find the intensity of the superposition of two sound waves with intensities of 31 mW/m² and 20 mW/m², one must first calculate their amplitudes, as intensity is proportional to the square of the amplitude. The total intensity for constructive interference is determined by the squared sum of the amplitudes, not by directly adding the intensities. If the waves have equal amplitudes, the resulting intensity could be approximated as double the lower intensity, but this depends on the specific amplitudes involved. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between intensity and amplitude in sound wave interference. Proper calculations are necessary to arrive at the correct intensity of the combined waves.
ryanjdiaz
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The Problem : The sound wave with intensity 31 mW/m2 interferes constructively with a sound wave that has an intensity of 20 mW/m2. What is the intensity of the superposition of the two.


I know that you can add the amplitudes for constructive interference or subtract for destructive interference . Also i do know that intensity is proportional to amplitude squard. I don't know how to solve when i only have two intensities so i know you can't just add the intensitites. any help would be appreciated thanks



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This may be a bit of a trick question; if the two waves were set up with equal amplitudes to collide constructively, what would be your guess? Double, nothing, or somewhre in between? Pressure is a scalar quantity,
 

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