IB Physics SL C.3.5 Superposition

Practise adding instantaneous signed displacements where waves overlap and using the result to construct interference, pulse or standing-wave patterns without permanently…

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
Level
SL

Exam points

  • add signed displacements point by point at the same position and time during overlap
  • distinguish constructive addition from destructive cancellation using relative phase
  • draw pulses continuing with their original shape and direction after linear superposition

C.3.5—Superposition question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about a thermistor circuit. Part 2 is about vibrations and waves.
Part 1 Thermistor circuit
The circuit shows a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor X and a 100kΩ100 \mathrm{k} \Omega fixed resistor R connected across a battery.

Figure for Question C.3.5—Superposition question 1 — IB Physics SL

The battery has an electromotive force (emf) of 12.0 V and negligible internal resistance.

A second loudspeaker S emits the same frequency as L but vibrates out of phase with L . The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of the waves emitted by S and L .

Figure for Question C.3.5—Superposition question 1 — IB Physics SL

On the graph, sketch the variation with t of x for the wave formed by the superposition of the two waves. be marked.

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