Calculating Maxima in Radio Wave Interference Around Two Towers

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the number of maxima in the interference pattern created by two radio towers emitting waves at a frequency of 750 MHz, positioned 2 meters apart. Participants are exploring the relationship between path length differences and the resulting interference effects as one walks in a circular path around the towers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the path length difference and its relation to the wavelength, questioning how to derive a formula for the number of maxima. There is confusion regarding the correct wavelength and the implications of the distance between the towers.

Discussion Status

Some participants have proposed different numbers of maxima based on their calculations and interpretations of the setup. There is ongoing exploration of how to account for maxima in different quadrants and the relationship between angles and maxima. Guidance has been offered in the form of references to external resources, but no consensus has been reached on the final count of maxima.

Contextual Notes

Participants have noted discrepancies in the distance between the towers and the wavelength, which may affect their calculations. The assumption that the center of the circle is at the midpoint of the towers is also mentioned.

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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
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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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