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Superposition principle
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===Wave diffraction vs. wave interference{{anchor|Diffraction vs. interference}}{{anchor|Interference vs. diffraction}}=== With regard to wave superposition, [[Richard Feynman]] wrote:<ref>Lectures in Physics, Vol, 1, 1963, pg. 30-1, Addison Wesley Publishing Company Reading, Mass [https://books.google.com/books?id=S-JFAgAAQBAJ&dq=feynman+interference+and+diffraction&pg=SA30-PA1]</ref> {{blockquote|No-one has ever been able to define the difference between [[interference (wave propagation)|interference]] and diffraction satisfactorily. It is just a question of usage, and there is no specific, important physical difference between them. The best we can do, roughly speaking, is to say that when there are only a few sources, say two, interfering, then the result is usually called interference, but if there is a large number of them, it seems that the word diffraction is more often used.|author=|title=|source=}} Other authors elaborate:<ref>N. K. VERMA, ''Physics for Engineers'', PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., Oct 18, 2013, p. 361. [https://books.google.com/books?id=kY-7AQAAQBAJ&dq=feynman+interference+and+diffraction&pg=PA361]</ref> {{blockquote|The difference is one of convenience and convention. If the waves to be superposed originate from a few coherent sources, say, two, the effect is called interference. On the other hand, if the waves to be superposed originate by subdividing a wavefront into infinitesimal coherent wavelets (sources), the effect is called diffraction. That is the difference between the two phenomena is [a matter] of degree only, and basically, they are two limiting cases of superposition effects.}} Yet another source concurs:<ref>Tim Freegarde, ''Introduction to the Physics of Waves'', Cambridge University Press, Nov 8, 2012. [https://books.google.com/books?id=eMMgAwAAQBAJ&dq=feynman+interference+and+diffraction&pg=PA106]</ref> {{blockquote|In as much as the interference fringes observed by Young were the diffraction pattern of the double slit, this chapter [Fraunhofer diffraction] is, therefore, a continuation of Chapter 8 [Interference]. On the other hand, few opticians would regard the Michelson interferometer as an example of diffraction. Some of the important categories of diffraction relate to the interference that accompanies division of the wavefront, so Feynman's observation to some extent reflects the difficulty that we may have in distinguishing division of amplitude and division of wavefront.}}
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