KCL Section 2: Superposition and diffraction (Waves and photons)

Question 1

Waves are coherent when?

Answer 1

Waves are coherent if they have:
The same frequency
The same waveform (shape of the wave)
A constant phase relationship

Question 2

Define path difference

Answer 2

Path difference: the difference in the length of the paths that two waves take

Question 3

What is the Principle of Superposition

Answer 3

Where two or more waves meet, the total displacement at a point is the vector sum of the displacements that the individual waves would cause at that point.