tags: mus-407 waves wave-phenomena
Wave Interference
By the [principle of linear superposition], all waves (including [sound waves]) experience interference.
Constructive interference
Two compressions sum to create a greater compression.
Two rarefactions sum to create a greater rarefaction.
Destructive interference
A compression & rarefaction partially or completely cancel each other
Pressure at a point where multiple sound waves exist equals the sum of pressures of individual waves at that point.
pressure A + pressure B = pressure A + B
What you perceive (hear) is the sum of all the sound waves reaching your ear. Our brain can parse that information and identify sources.
- A [microphone], however, can only perceive a single volume
- Linear superposition explains why we can perceive multiple notes, instruments, waves, etc. even when audio files only exhibit one pressure measurement per sample