Question

The two waves shown here are the same distance from point x and are traveling toward each other
What is the amplitude of the resulting wave when the two waves meet at point x

A). 0.0 cm
B) 1.0 cm
C) 2.0 cm
D) 4.0 cm

Answer 1

The Answer should be A: 0.0

Answer 2

Answer:

A). 0.0 cm

Explanation:

When two waves travel and meet at the same point, a phenomenon known as interference occurs.

The two extreme cases of interference are the following:

- When two waves in phase meet at the same point, the resultant wave produced by the interference has amplitude which is the sum of the amplitude of the individual waves

- When two waves in anti-phase meet at the same point, the resultant wave produced by the interference has amplitude which is the difference between the amplitudes of the individual waves

In this problem, we have two waves of amplitde A1  = 2.0 cm and A2 = 2.0 cm that meet at X in anti-phase (because they have opposite displacement): therefore, it is a destructive interference, and the resultant amplitude will be

$A=A_1 -A_2 = 2.0 cm - 2.0 cm = 0.0 cm$