8. Superposition
Start with Concept to understand a topic, then use Question Bank to check what you know.
Your progress
Sign in to see your mastery and mistakes.
8.1 Stationary waves
8.1.1And use the principle of superposition
• explain and use the principle of superposition
8.1.2Experiments that demonstrate stationary waves using microwaves, stretched
• show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate stationary waves using microwaves, stretched strings and air columns (it will be assumed that end corrections are negligible; knowledge of the concept of end corrections is not required)
8.1.3The formation of a stationary wave using a graphical method, and identify
• explain the formation of a stationary wave using a graphical method, and identify nodes and antinodes
8.1.4Wavelength may be determined from the positions of nodes or antinodes of a
• understand how wavelength may be determined from the positions of nodes or antinodes of a stationary wave
8.2 Diffraction
8.2.1The meaning of the term diffraction
• explain the meaning of the term diffraction
8.2.2Experiments that demonstrate diffraction including the qualitative effect of
• show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate diffraction including the qualitative effect of the gap width relative to the wavelength of the wave • For example diffraction of water waves in a ripple tank
8.3 Interference
8.3.1The terms interference and coherence
• understand the terms interference and coherence
8.3.2Experiments that demonstrate two-source interference
• show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate two-source interference using water waves in a ripple tank, sound, light and microwaves
8.3.3The conditions required if two-source interference fringes are to be
• understand the conditions required if two-source interference fringes are to be observed
8.3.4Λ = ax / D for double-slit interference using light
• recall and use λ = ax / D for double-slit interference using light
8.4 The diffraction grating
8.4.1D sin θ = nλ
• recall and use d sin θ = nλ
8.4.2The use of a diffraction grating to determine the wavelength of light
• describe the use of a diffraction grating to determine the wavelength of light (the structure and use of the spectrometer are not included)