Two-Source Interference
- Two-source interference can be demonstrated using sound and microwaves
Using Sound Waves
- Sound waves are longitudinal waves so are made up of compressions and rarefactions
Sound wave interference from two speakers
- Constructive interference occurs when two compressions or two rarefactions line up and the sound appears louder
- Destructive interference occurs when a compression lines up with a rarefaction and vice versa. The sound is quieter
- This is the technology used in noise-cancelling headphones
Using Microwaves
- Two source interference for microwaves can be detected with a moveable microwave detector
Microwave interference experiment
- Constructive interference occurs in regions where the detector picks up a maximum amplitude of the signal
- Destructive interference occurs in regions where the detector picks up no signal
Worked example
Two coherent sources of sound waves S1 and S2 are situated 65 cm apart in air as shown below.
The two sources vibrate in phase but have different amplitudes of vibration. A microphone M is situated 150 cm from S1 along the line normal to S1 and S2.The microphone detects maxima and minima of the intensity of the sound. The wavelength of the sound from S1 to S2 is decreased by increasing the frequency.Determine which orders of maxima are detected at M as the wavelength is increased from 3.5 cm to 12.5 cm.
Exam Tip
Always refer back to the interference situation in the exam question. For example, refer back to the 'signal' for a microwave detector and the 'volume' of sound waves interfering
