Side B2b: Superposition | Year 12

Topic Overview

What students will cover

This topic develops the full superposition model from phase difference through to interference, diffraction, diffraction gratings, and stationary waves. Keep the shared logic in view: wave displacements add, phase controls reinforcement or cancellation, and wavelength sets the scale of visible patterns.

Revision

Topic revision route

Use the generated links below to move from lesson review to retrieval practice, syllabus checks, and useful resources.

Targeted lessons

Revision

Recall vocabulary

superposition
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
phase difference
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
path difference
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
coherence
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
constructive interference
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
destructive interference
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
diffraction
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
diffraction grating
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
fringe spacing
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
stationary wave
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
node
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
antinode
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
radians
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
in phase
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
antiphase
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
wavelength
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
period
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.
progressive wave
A definition has not been added for this term yet. Use the lesson sequence below to review where it appears.

Resource bank

Lesson resources: 6
Topic resources: 0

Open the relevant lesson first, then use its linked slides, worksheets, simulations, or practice tasks.

Syllabus

CIE 9702 coverage in this topic

13 points across 5 lessons

Show details

7.1.2

understand and use the terms displacement, amplitude, phase difference, period, frequency, wavelength and speed

L01 Phase Difference

8.1.1

explain and use the principle of superposition

L02 Interference L05 Stationary Waves

8.1.2

show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate stationary waves using microwaves, stretched strings and air columns (it will be assumed that end corrections are negligible; knowledge of the concept of end corrections is not required)

L05 Stationary Waves

8.1.3

explain the formation of a stationary wave using a graphical method, and identify nodes and antinodes

L05 Stationary Waves

8.1.4

understand how wavelength may be determined from the positions of nodes or antinodes of a stationary wave

L05 Stationary Waves

8.2.1

explain the meaning of the term diffraction

L03 Young's Double Slit L04 Diffraction

8.2.2

show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate diffraction including the qualitative effect of the gap width relative to the wavelength of the wave; for example diffraction of water waves in a ripple tank

L03 Young's Double Slit L04 Diffraction

8.3.1

understand the terms interference and coherence

L03 Young's Double Slit

8.3.2

show an understanding of experiments that demonstrate two-source interference using water waves in a ripple tank, sound, light and microwaves

L03 Young's Double Slit

8.3.3

understand the conditions required if two-source interference fringes are to be observed

L03 Young's Double Slit

8.3.4

recall and use λ = ax / D for double-slit interference using light