Help w/ constructive interference sound wave intensity

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the intensity of two sound waves that interfere constructively, with intensities of 31 mW/m² and 20 mW/m². It is established that intensity is proportional to the square of the amplitude, and thus, one cannot simply add the intensities directly. Instead, the correct approach involves determining the amplitudes from the given intensities, adding them, and then calculating the resultant intensity from the new amplitude. The final intensity of the superposition can be derived using the formula I = A², where A is the resultant amplitude.

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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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