Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 35 - Interference - Problems - Page 1079: 90a

Answer

The phase difference at $P_2$ is $~~3.5$

Work Step by Step

We can find the path length difference to $P_2$: $\Delta L = 1360~nm-80~nm = 1280~nm$ We can find the phase difference at $P_2$ if the waves started out in phase: $(\frac{1280~nm}{400~nm})~(2\pi~rad) = 6.4~\pi~rad$ However, the waves did not start out in phase. Since the path length difference to $P_1$ is zero, the wave from $S_2$ starts out $0.600\pi~rad$ ahead of the wave from $S_1$ We can find the total phase difference at $P_2$: $6.4\pi~rad+0.600\pi~rad = 7.0\pi~rad = 3.5~(2\pi)~rad$ As a multiple of $\lambda$, the phase difference at $P_2$ is $~~3.5$
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