Phase difference ‘The phase difference between two vibrating particles is the fraction of a cycle between the vibrations of the two particles, measured either in. degrees or radians, where 1 cycle = 360° = 21 radians. For two points at distance d apart along a wave of wavelength 1 the phase diferenceinradans = 284 Figure 4 shows three successive snapshots of the particles of a transverse ‘wave progressing from left to right across the diagram. Particles O, P,Q, Rand S are spaced approximately } of a wavelength apart. Table | shows the phase difference between O and each of the other particles. eee a oftte, ce Seana Pe oN TNT 76/6/16 “GstoceftomOintemsofwowlengtha Aad | _phaseciffeencerelativetoO/radians ix Se ee seo Paani: a pummary questions TE sound waves in air travel ata speed of 340ms" at bb what would be the displacement and direction of 2oxC. Calculate the wavelength of sound waves ar motion of Q three-quarters ofa cycle after the last Which have a frequency of a 3400 Hz, b 18000 Hz. ‘snapshot? EB. tlectrornagnetic waves in air travel at aspeed of 3.0 x 10's", Calculate the Frequency of ight waves of wavelength ofa 0.030m, b 600m EB Figure 5 shows a waveform on an oscilloscope screen ‘when the y-sensitivity ofthe osclloscope was 0.50 Vern and the time base was set at 0.5mscm". Determine the amplitude and the frequency ofthis +, waveform. er forthe wavesin gue 4 K ] V a determine the ampitde and the wavelength, Tithe phase difference between P and R, phase difference between P and S, he Figure 5 ‘A term used to describe the relative positions of the crests or troughs of two waves of the same frequency is phase. When the crests and troughs are aligned, the waves are said to be in phase. When a crest is aligned with a, trough, the waves are out of phase. When used as a quantitative measur 2, phase has the unit of angle (radians or degrees). Thus, when waves are out of phase, one wave is half a cycle behind the other. Since one cycle is, equivalent to 21 radians o 360°, the phase difference between waves which are exactly out of phase is x radians or 180°. Consider Figure 75, in which there are two waves of the same frequency and amplitude, but with a phase difference between them. The period T corresponits to a phase angle of 2x rad or 360°. The two waves are out of step bya time Thus, phase difference is equal to 2(W/7) rad = 360(U7)°. A similar ‘argument may be used for waves of wavelength \ which are out of step by a : distance x. In this case the phase difference is 2n(x/A) rad = 360(2/)°.