Can sound wave also interference just like EM wave

[Rico L]

its my exam question.. i am not so sure... but i put it can't because sound is a wave of vibration which it can diffract but not interence... but i don't know.. can sound wave interference?

cheers

 

[Dale]

Yes. That is what the Bose noise cancelling headphones do.

 

[Rico L]

awww! damn ! i got it wrong!--

thanks anyway

 

[GRDixon]

can sound wave interference?

cheers

Yes indeed. I witnessed a dramatic demonstration of this at Cornell. A low frequency sound generator was activated at the front of a large lecture hall. Standing waves were set up in the hall's air. At one location the noise was very loud. If you stepped away to a nearby location, you couldn't hear anything!

 

[sardar]

Yes, sound waves can also interfere with each other, just like electromagnetic (EM) waves. Interference occurs when two or more waves meet and their amplitudes combine, resulting in either an increase or decrease in the overall amplitude of the wave. This phenomenon is observed in both sound and EM waves.

In the case of sound waves, interference can occur when two or more sound waves with different frequencies or wavelengths meet. This can result in constructive interference, where the amplitudes of the waves add up and create a louder sound, or destructive interference, where the amplitudes cancel each other out and create a quieter sound. This is commonly observed in music and sound systems, where different instruments or speakers produce sound waves that interfere with each other.

It is true that sound waves cannot diffract as readily as EM waves, as their wavelengths are much larger. However, this does not mean that they cannot interfere. In fact, the concept of interference is crucial in understanding various phenomena related to sound, such as beats, resonance, and standing waves.

In conclusion, sound waves can definitely interfere with each other, just like EM waves. As a scientist, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the properties and behavior of all types of waves, including sound waves. I hope this helps with your exam preparation. Good luck!