Help w/ constructive interference sound wave intensity

[ryanjdiaz]

The Problem : The sound wave with intensity 31 mW/m2 interferes constructively with a sound wave that has an intensity of 20 mW/m2. What is the intensity of the superposition of the two.


I know that you can add the amplitudes for constructive interference or subtract for destructive interference . Also i do know that intensity is proportional to amplitude squard. I don't know how to solve when i only have two intensities so i know you can't just add the intensitites. any help would be appreciated thanks



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[denverdoc]

This may be a bit of a trick question; if the two waves were set up with equal amplitudes to collide constructively, what would be your guess? Double, nothing, or somewhre in between? Pressure is a scalar quantity,

 

[m2003]

Your Name], thank you for reaching out for help with this problem. Constructive interference occurs when two waves combine to create a larger amplitude, resulting in a higher intensity. In this case, we have two sound waves with different intensities, 31 mW/m2 and 20 mW/m2, that are interfering constructively.

To find the intensity of the superposition of the two waves, we can use the principle of superposition, which states that the total intensity at any point is equal to the sum of the individual intensities. In other words, we can add the intensities of the two waves to find the total intensity.

Using the formula for intensity (I = P/A, where P is power and A is area), we can calculate the total intensity of the superposition:

I = (31 mW/m2) + (20 mW/m2)
I = 51 mW/m2

Therefore, the intensity of the superposition of the two waves is 51 mW/m2. I hope this helps you understand how to solve for intensity in cases of constructive interference. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Keep up the good work in your studies!