A crest of a wave with an amplitude of 3 meters intersects with another trough of a wave with an amplitude of 2 meters. What is the resulting amplitude?

6 meters

2 meters

1 meter

3 meters

1 answer

When a crest of one wave intersects with a trough of another wave, the resulting amplitude is determined by the principle of superposition. In this case, the crest of 3 meters and the trough of 2 meters will partially cancel each other out.

The crest has a positive amplitude of 3 meters, and the trough has a negative amplitude of 2 meters. To find the net amplitude, you subtract the trough's amplitude from the crest's amplitude:

\[ \text{Resulting Amplitude} = 3 , \text{meters} - 2 , \text{meters} = 1 , \text{meter} \]

Therefore, the resulting amplitude is 1 meter.