Question

Two waves $y_{1}=a \sin (\omega t-k x)$ and $y_{2}=a \cos (\omega t-k x)$ superimpose at a point :

• A. The resultant amplitude is $\sqrt{2} a$
• B. If $I$ is the intensity of each source then $I_{\max }=2 I$
• C. The resultant wave leads $y_{1}$ by a phase angle of $\frac{\pi}{4}$
• D. Data insufficient to arrive at options(B) and (C)

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

As the two given waves have a phase difference $\pi / 2$ we can use the vector superposition principal for the wave amplitudes to find the resulting amplitude and obtain