Question

For any wave, what is the phase difference between a crest and an adjacent crest?

a. 0
b. pi
c. pi/2
d. 2pi
e. cannot be determined unless we know the wavelength.

Answer 1

The phase difference between a crest and an adjacent crest of any wave is 0 radians, as they are points in the wave cycle that are in complete phase with each other.

Step-by-step explanation:

For any wave, the phase difference between a crest and an adjacent crest is 0 radians (which is equivalent to 0 degrees or 0% of the wave cycle). This is because the crests are points of maximum positive displacement in the wave and are one complete wave cycle apart. Therefore, they are in complete sync or phase with each other. In terms of wave superposition and phase differences, when two waves are exactly aligned crest-to-crest and trough-to-trough, they are said to be in phase and the phase difference is zero.