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Q.What is principle of Super position of Waves?

(OR)
Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves.
Himachal HpboseHPBOSE Himachal Pradesh Class 11 Board Exam 2026Subjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
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When multiple waves overlap, the net displacement at any point is simply the sum of the displacements each wave would cause on its own.

Principle of Superposition: When two or more waves travel simultaneously through the same medium and overlap at a point, the resultant displacement of the particle at that point at any instant is the algebraic (vector) sum of the displacements due to each individual wave, as if the other waves were absent.

Mathematically, if y1, y2, ..., yn are the displacements that would be produced by waves 1, 2, ..., n acting alone, the resultant displacement is:

y = y1 + y2 + ... + yn

Each wave continues to travel through the medium independently, unaffected by the presence of the other waves, after they cross/overlap.

This principle explains phenomena such as interference (constructive and destructive), beats, and the formation of stationary (standing) waves.

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