NEET Physics: Principle of superposition of waves Practice Questions
15 free multiple-choice questions on Principle of superposition of waves (Oscillations and Waves) for NEET Physics, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step explanation. Attempt a question, then reveal the solution to check your reasoning.
Practice thousands more NEET questions in the app →Q1. If two waves with amplitudes A₁ and A₂ interfere, the resultant amplitude A is given by |A₁ + A₂|. What condition must be met for the interference to be purely constructive?
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Correct answer: A — A = A₁ + A₂
Constructive interference occurs when the amplitudes add up, resulting in the maximum combined amplitude, A = A₁ + A₂.
Q2. In the superposition of waves, if the individual waves are travelling in phase, what is the nature of the resultant wave?
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Correct answer: D — They interfere constructively
When waves are in phase (traveling together with the same direction and phase relationship), they add up to create a larger amplitude (constructive interference).
Q3. If two waves have the same amplitude but are moving in opposite directions, how does their superposition affect the resultant displacement?
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Correct answer: B — The amplitudes are added
If two waves move in opposite directions, their displacements will subtract from each other, meaning the resultant amplitude is |A₁ - A₂|.
Q4. If two waves of the same frequency and amplitude interfere, the resultant amplitude will be maximum when the waves are in which phase relation?
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Correct answer: C — In phase
Constructive interference, leading to maximum resultant amplitude, occurs when the waves are perfectly in phase (in phase).
Q5. The principle of superposition is fundamentally valid for waves that are:
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Correct answer: D — Sinusoidal waves
The principle of superposition is valid primarily for simple harmonic waves, which are sinusoidal. Non-sinusoidal waves require more complex analysis.
Q6. If two waves interfere, the resultant wave is formed by the algebraic sum of the individual waves. This addition is generally valid only when the waves are:
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Correct answer: A — In phase
For simple linear superposition (where amplitudes add directly), the waves must generally be in phase (or have a defined relative phase relationship) to ensure simple addition of amplitudes.
Q7. When two waves of the same frequency and amplitude travel in the same direction and meet, what is the principle governing the resultant wave?
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Correct answer: D — The resultant wave is the superposition of the two waves
The principle of superposition states that when waves meet, the resultant displacement at any point is the algebraic sum of the individual displacements of the waves.
Q8. When two waves interfere, the condition for obtaining maximum constructive interference is related to the phase difference between the waves. If two waves have a phase difference of π, what is the nature of the resulting superposition?
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Correct answer: B — Complete constructive interference
For two waves to interfere constructively, the phase difference between them must be an integer multiple of 2π (i.e., δ= 2nπ). A phase difference of π results in complete destructive interference (out of phase).
Q9. If two waves have the same frequency and travel in opposite directions, the resultant wave's amplitude is determined by:
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Correct answer: C — The average of the amplitudes
When waves travel in opposite directions, the amplitudes subtract, leading to an amplitude determined by the difference, |A₁ - A₂|.
Q10. For two waves of equal amplitude to experience destructive interference, the phase difference between them must be:
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Correct answer: C — 180°
Destructive interference occurs when the waves are exactly 180° out of phase, causing them to cancel each other out.
Q11. If two waves are perfectly in phase, the interference observed is:
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Correct answer: A — Complete constructive interference
When waves are in phase, they add up to produce the maximum resultant amplitude, which is constructive interference.
Q12. For the principle of superposition to apply correctly, the medium through which the waves travel must possess what property?
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Correct answer: C — Linear elasticity
The principle of superposition holds true only when the medium is linear, meaning the response of the medium is directly proportional to the applied force or displacement (linearity).
Q13. Two waves of equal amplitude interfere. For complete destructive interference to occur, the phase difference between the two waves must be:
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Correct answer: A — 180°
For two waves of equal amplitude to interfere destructively (result in zero amplitude), they must be 180° out of phase. This means the phase difference between them must be 180°.
Q14. If two waves of amplitudes A₁ and A₂ interfere constructively, the amplitude of the resultant wave will be:
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Correct answer: C — A₁ + A₂
When waves interfere constructively, the resultant amplitude is the sum of the individual amplitudes.
Q15. When two waves travel in the same direction and overlap, the resultant displacement at any point is given by the principle of superposition. This principle is valid when the medium supports which type of wave?
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Correct answer: A — Linear waves
The principle of superposition strictly applies only to linear waves, where the displacements are directly proportional to the forces or sources.
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