Calculating Maxima in Radio Wave Interference Around Two Towers

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Two radio towers, 10 meters apart, emit 750 MHz waves, and the wavelength is calculated to be 0.4 meters. The path length difference for maxima is determined by the formula Δr = nλ, where n is an integer. The confusion arises in calculating the number of maxima detected while walking in a circle of radius 10 meters around the towers. Initially, the discussion suggests there are 2 maxima, but further analysis reveals that there are actually 20 maxima due to the distribution of wave interference patterns around the circle. The key to resolving the confusion lies in understanding the relationship between the distance between waves and the sine function in the context of the geometry of the setup.
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Two radio towers are positioned 10m apart. They emit waves of 750mHz. How many maxima will you detect if you walk around the towers in a circle of radius=10m?

I know that the path length difference, \Delta r, must = an integer number of wavelengths:

\Delta r = n\lambda

Where I'm confused is how to find an expression using this information to solve for the number of maximas in a circle. Can anyone give me any hints? I'd show more work if I could think of anything else. The only other work I have is solving for the wavelength:

c = \lambda f

\lambda = \frac{c}{f} = \frac{3X10^8m/s}{750000000Hz} = .4m
 
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It looks like 2, since
d \sin(\theta) = \pm \lambda
\sin(\theta) = \pm 1
with in 0, 2\pi interval
\theta = \pi, 3 \pi /2
 
The answe is 20, which is what is confusing me. I got 2 also, but at \pi/2 , 3\pi/2 I don't know how I'm supposed to find the 20 spots. I know there has to be a way to derive a formula for it. Or something.
 
What the heck I've done, the wavelength isn't 10m, it's 0.4m! Plus, 0 is also an integer, so there would be 4 solution (yours and mine should add, if d=wavelength!) Oh my! I was totally sleepy!

So then, let me try again. The difference in distance of waveves should be 10 \sin(\theta), and if this difference is equal to 0 or an integer multiple of wavelength, then there should be a maxima
25 \lambda \sin(\theta) = n \lambda
\sin(\theta) = [-1,1] = n/25 where n is an integer.

Hmm.. I still don't have 20. I don't know where I got wrong, though.
I assumed center of the circle is in the middle of towers, BTW.
 
Sorry I screwed up. The distance between the towers is 2 m not 10.
 
Ok, I found that the angles, 0, \pi/2, \pi, 3\pi/2, all have maximas so that gives me four. Now i need to find a way to find the maximas in one of the quadrants and I can multpily that by four and then add four to that and I should get 20. I am lost on how to find the maximas in between quadrant angles. How do you get the the distance between waves is 10\sin(\theta)
 
http://sol.sci.uop.edu/~jfalward/lightinterference/lightinterference.html
 
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im sorry, i don't know which sectionyou want me to look at. I read the page and I have seen most of that stuff, but I don't see what section answers my question about why the distance bewteen the waves equals 10sin(x),
 
"Constructive Inteference" section
 
  • #10
i got the answer thanks.
 
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