Physics

Problem

Two waves of identical amplitude

A

travel in the same direction along a string. Their equations are

y_1 = A\bigl[\tan(kx-\omega t)\bigr],\qquad y_2 = A\bigl[\tan(kx-\omega t+\tfrac{\pi}{2})\bigr].

At position

x=0

and time

t=0

, which of the following best characterizes the type of interference between the two waves? a) Fully constructive interference resulting in a net displacement of

+2A

. b) Partially constructive interference resulting in a net displacement of

+A\sqrt{2}

. c) Partially constructive interference resulting in a net displacement of

+A

. d) Fully destructive interference resulting in zero net displacement.

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