Phase Difference

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phase+difference

Phase Difference ($\phi$) between two particles or two waves tells us how much a particle (or wave) is in front or behind another particle (or wave).

  • Value ranges from 0 to $2 \pi$  radians

Referring to the diagram above,

  • P1 and P2 are in phase. They are in exactly the same state of disturbance at any point in time.(have same displacement and velocity)
    1. Phase difference : 0 radians (or multiples of $2 \pi$)
    2. Distance between 2 particles (path difference) is an integer multiple of the wavelength.
  • P1 and P3 are $\pi$  radian out of phase. They are $\frac{1}{2}$  a cycle apart from each other at any point in time.
    1. They have velocities in the opposite direction
    2. Phase difference: $\pi$  radians (or $\pi$, $3 \pi$, $5 \pi$, …)
    3. Path difference: odd multiple of half a wavelength (i.e. $\frac{1}{2} \lambda$, $\frac{3}{2} \lambda$ , …)
phase+difference+2

Referring to the graph above,

$\phi = 2 \pi \frac{x}{\lambda}$ OR $\phi = 2 \pi \frac{t}{T}$

Phase difference, $\Delta \phi$ between 2 particles is just the difference in phase between them.

$\Delta \phi$ between A and B: $\Delta \phi = 2 \pi \frac{\Delta t}{T}$ or $\Delta \phi = 2 \pi \frac{\Delta x}{\lambda}$

Wave equation:

  • If wave start from equilibrium, use sin
  • If wave start from extreme displacement, use cos
  • If wave starts below equilibrium, put negative sign in front

Examples:

$y = y_{o} \, sin \left( x \frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} \right)$

$y = – y_{o} \, cos \left( t \frac{2 \pi}{T} \right)$


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