Q110 / 120 · VITEEE 2013 · Physics

Two waves $y_{1}=A_{1} \sin \left(\omega t-\beta_{1}\right)$ and $y_{2}=A_{2} \sin \left(\omega t-\beta_{2}\right)$ superimpose to form a resultant wave whose amplitude is

  • A
    $A_{1}+A_{2}$
  • B
    $\left|\mathrm{A}_{1}+\mathrm{A}_{2}\right|$
  • C
    $\sqrt{A_{1}^{2}+A_{2}^{2}-2 A_{1} A_{2} \sin \left(\beta_{1}-\beta_{2}\right)}$
  • Correct answer
    D
    $\sqrt{A_{1}^{2}+A_{2}^{2}+2 A_{1} A_{2} \cos \left(\beta_{1}-\beta_{2}\right)}$

Solution

Amplitudes $\mathrm{A}_{1}$ and $\mathrm{A}_{2}$ are added as vectors. Angle between the two vectors is the phase difference $\left(\beta_{1}-\beta_{2}\right)$ between them. $\therefore$ Resultant wave, $\mathrm{R}=\sqrt{\mathrm{A}_{1}^{2}+\mathrm{A}_{2}^{2}+2 \mathrm{~A}_{1} \mathrm{~A}_{2} \cos \left(\beta_{1}-\beta_{2}\right)}$

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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