Waves Superpostion

The principle of superposition is when two waves are travelling through the same medium at the same time. The waves pass through each other without being disturbed. The net displacement of the medium at any point in space or time, is simply the sum of the individual wave displacements. This is true of waves which are finite in length (wave pulses) or which are continuous sine waves. When using the principle of superposition we determine if the wave is displaying constructive interference or destructive interference. When you send two transverse waves down the same medium in the same direction the two waves will collide and form a bigger wave which results in constructive interference. When you send two transverse waves down the same medium in different directions they will collide and become smaller which results in destructive interference.