Question

When the interference occurs with non-coherent sources,_______ of the superimposing waves add like_______.

• A. intensities
• B. scalars

Answer 1

Principle of superposition:

According to the principle of superposition. The resultant displacement of a number of waves in a medium at a particular point is the vector sum of the individual displacements produced by each of the waves at that point.

Interference:

1. Interference occurs when two or more waves meet each other. Depending on the alignment of peaks and troughs of the overlapping waves, they might add up, or they can partially or entirely cancel each other.
2. The phenomenon in which two or more waves superpose to form a resultant wave of greater, lower, or the same amplitude.
3. For non-coherent sources, they emit light along with random changes as well as frequent phrases.
4. When the non-coherent sources interfere with each other, intensities of the superimposing waves add like scalars (i.e. $I=I_1+I_2$).

Hence, when the interference occurs with non-coherent sources, intensities of the superimposing waves add like scalars.