What is the maximum intensity ratio in interference of two waves of equal amplit
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the maximum intensity ratio in interference of two waves of equal amplitude?
1:1
2:1
4:1
3:1
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the maximum intensity ratio in interference of two waves of equal amplitude?
Step 1: Understand that we are dealing with two waves that have the same amplitude.
Step 2: Define the intensity of each wave as I_0.
Step 3: Recall that when two waves interfere constructively (when they are in phase), the maximum intensity is given by the formula I_max = (A_1 + A_2)^2, where A_1 and A_2 are the amplitudes of the two waves.
Step 4: Since both waves have equal amplitude, we can say A_1 = A_2 = A.
Step 5: Substitute the amplitudes into the formula: I_max = (A + A)^2 = (2A)^2 = 4A^2.
Step 6: The intensity of one wave is I_0 = A^2, so we can express I_max in terms of I_0: I_max = 4I_0.
Step 7: To find the intensity ratio, we compare the maximum intensity (I_max) to the intensity of one wave (I_0): I_max/I_0 = 4I_0/I_0 = 4.
Step 8: Therefore, the maximum intensity ratio of the two waves is 4:1.
