Resultant Amplitude of 2 Waves

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The resultant amplitude of two sinusoidal waves with the same angular frequency and amplitude, differing in phase by 50 degrees, can be calculated using the formula: A = √((1 + cos(50°))² + (sin(50°))²). This method employs phasors to determine the resultant wave's amplitude effectively. The superposition principle confirms that the resultant wave is the sum of the individual waves, expressed as y'(x,t) = y1(x,t) + y2(x,t).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sinusoidal wave properties
  • Knowledge of phasors in wave analysis
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities
  • Basic principles of wave superposition
NEXT STEPS
  • Study phasor representation of waves in detail
  • Learn about wave interference and superposition principles
  • Explore trigonometric identities relevant to wave calculations
  • Investigate applications of resultant amplitude in physics problems
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on wave mechanics and interference, as well as anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of wave superposition and amplitude calculations.

jegues
Messages
1,085
Reaction score
3

Homework Statement



Two sinusoidal waves have the same angular frequency, the same amplitude ym, and travel in the same direction in the same medium. If they differ in phase by 50 degrees, the amplitude of the resultant wave is?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



How do I go about figuring this out? Do I need to use phasors?

\sqrt{(1+cos(50))^{2} + (sin(50))^{2}}

Isn't the superposition of 2 waves y1(x,t) and y2(x,t)

y'(x,t) = y1(x,t)+y2(x,t)

?

Thanks again!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
jegues said:


The Attempt at a Solution



How do I go about figuring this out? Do I need to use phasors?

\sqrt{(1+cos(50))^{2} + (sin(50))^{2}}

Yes, that method works well here.

Isn't the superposition of 2 waves y1(x,t) and y2(x,t)

y'(x,t) = y1(x,t)+y2(x,t)

?
Yes, that's right.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K