Two waves are in phase when their peaks and troughs align. The phase difference is the fraction of a cycle that separates two waves. In ray optics, phase difference occurs due to differences in path length caused by factors such as reflection and refraction.
1. When are two waves said to be in phase?
Two waves are said to be in phase when they have the same frequency, wavelength, and amplitude, and their peaks and troughs align with each other.
2. What is the phase difference between two waves?
The phase difference between two waves is the fraction of a cycle that one wave is ahead or behind the other wave.
3. What is the phase difference between two waves when the phase difference is π/2 and π/4?
When the phase difference is π/2, the waves are said to be in quadrature phase or 90 degrees out of phase. When the phase difference is π/4, the waves are said to be in 45 degrees out of phase.
4. What is the formula for calculating the phase difference between two waves?
The formula for calculating the phase difference between two waves is: phase difference = difference in path length / wavelength.
5. How does phase difference occur in ray optics?
In ray optics, phase difference occurs when light waves pass through different media or when they undergo reflection or refraction. The change in path length causes a shift in the phase of the waves.
6. What is the formula for calculating phase difference in ray optics?
The formula for calculating phase difference in ray optics is: phase difference = (2 * π * difference in optical path length) / wavelength.