In wave motion, what is meant by the principle of superposition?

Answer 1

Superposition in any field means that effect of many(more than tow) on one.i am in 12th std. only i can say that.

Answer 2

In linear algebra, the principle of superposition states that, for a linear system, a linear combination of solutions to the system is also a solution to the same linear system. The superposition principle applies to linear systems of algebraic equations, linear differential equations, or systems of linear differential equations.

The principle of superposition is widely used in physics and engineering because many physical systems may be modeled as linear systems. The superposition principle is also applied when small deviations from a known solution to a nonlinear system are analyzed by linearization. For linear physical quantities, this implies that the net result at a given place and time caused by two or more independent phenomena is the sum of the results which would have been caused by each phenomenon individually. Consequently, it is possible to analyze the behavior of linear physical systems by considering the behavior of each component of the system separately, and then summing the separate results to find the total result.

Answer 3

Superposition means that you add together the two or more waves.

There are usually two possible effects

1) the two waves add together to form a single wave with bigger amplitude

2) the two waves add together to form a single wave with smaller amplitude.

case (1) will occur if the waves are in phase (or approximately in phase)

Case (2) will occur if the are around 180 degrees out of phase

If the two waves have equal amplitude and are exactly out of phase then the net effect will be no wave at all just a flat line.

Answer 4

Superposition is when two or more waves pass through each other. When they combine they will form interference. This can be constructive or destructive and is equal to their displacements. To see superposition clearly the two waves must be coherent (i.e. same frequency, same wavelength and a fixed phase difference).

E.g.

A crest plus a crest equals a big crest. (constructive interference)
A trough plus a trough gives a big trough. (constructive interference)
A crest plus a trough of equal size gives nothing. (destructive interference)