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 - Questions - Page 1073: 7b

Answer

The interference produces a minimum all along path 2.

Work Step by Step

Every point on path 2 is a greater distance from $S_1$ than from $S_2$ by their separation distance. Note that the separation distance of $S_1$ and $S_2$ is $1.5~\lambda$ Therefore, the path length difference is $1.5~\lambda$ for all points on path 2. Since the sources are exactly in phase, the waves will be exactly out of phase at all points on path 2. Therefore, the interference produces a minimum all along path 2.
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