Question

drag and drop one figure into the box in the diagram to show how the spring appeared when the wave pulses met in the middle.
first, the wave
second, the wave
third, the wave
pulses moved
pulses met in the
pulses moved away
toward each other.
middle.
from each other.
pulse w
pulse x
pulse x
pulse w
drag & drop the answer

Explanation:

Step1: Understand wave superposition

When two wave pulses meet, if they are in - phase (crest - crest or trough - trough), they undergo constructive interference. The amplitude of the resultant wave is the sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves. Here, Pulse W and Pulse X have an amplitude of \(5\) cm each.

Step2: Calculate the resultant amplitude

Using the formula for constructive interference of two waves \(A = A_1+A_2\). Given \(A_1 = 5\) cm and \(A_2=5\) cm, then \(A=5 + 5=10\) cm. Also, since both pulses are crests (assuming the first figure shows crests for Pulse W and Pulse X moving towards each other), the resultant wave will also be a crest (not a trough - trough or a combination that would cancel or make a different shape).

Answer:

The figure with an amplitude of \(10\) cm (the first option in the drag - and - drop section with \(10\) cm amplitude and a single crest - like shape) should be dropped into the second box.