Two waves represented as ` y_(1) = A_(1) sin omega t and y_(2) = A_(2) cos omega t ` superpose at a point in space. Find out the amplitude of the resultant wave at that point .

Answer

` y _(1) = A_(1) sin omega t ; y_(2) = A_(2) cos omega t = A_(2) sin ( omega t + (pi)/(2))` .
So, the phase difference between the two waves is
` A = sqrt( A_(1)^(2) + A_(2)^(2) + 2A_(1) A_(2) cos (pi)/(2)) = sqrt(A_(1)^(2) + A_(2)^(2))`.