AH physics exam tomorrow - help with waves question? thanks

AI Thread Summary
If the optical path difference between two light waves is lambda/2, they do not always interfere destructively, contrary to the suggestion in the 2007 past paper question. The presence of a phase change of pi at one surface affects the interference outcome, meaning that the overall interference depends on both the path difference and the phase changes. Other parameters, such as the amplitude and frequency of the waves, can also influence the interference pattern. Therefore, the assertion that they will always interfere destructively is not universally true. Understanding these nuances is crucial for the upcoming exam.
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1. Homework Statement
If the optical path diff between two light waves is lambda/2 will they always interfere destructively? if this in true then wherever one wave undergoes aphase change of pi at one surface and the second wave does not then these two will always interfere destructively?

that's what the 2007 past paper question 10 suggests but i didnt think this was true
SQA answers:
ad%26pid%3D3%26fid%3DSent%26inline%3D1%26appid%3Dyahoomail&hash=dbf351e27334342ee385cb2d687ed0ba.png
https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f2%5f4065%5fAGtL2kIAAA9%2bVUfn%2fgyiYFWt%2bYk&m=YaDownload&pid=3&fid=Sent&inline=1&appid=yahoomail

Homework Equations



In the attached question and SQA marking scheme

The Attempt at a Solution



If the optical path diff between two light waves is lambda/2 will they always interfere destructively? if this in true then wherever one wave undergoes aphase change of pi at one surface and the second wave does not then these two will always interfere destructively?[/B]thanks so much for any help - exam tomorrow :(
 
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What other parameter(s) of the waves would make this statement untrue?
 

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