The discussion centers on the calculation of path difference for electromagnetic (EM) waves received by radio telescopes. The initial confusion arose from the incorrect use of trigonometric functions, where the user mistakenly identified the path difference as ##x = d \sin \theta## instead of the correct formula ##x = d \cos \theta##. The user later acknowledged the error and emphasized the importance of verifying results against extreme cases, such as ##\theta = 0## and ##\theta = \pi/2##. This highlights the critical nature of understanding trigonometric relationships in wave physics.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, radio astronomers, and anyone involved in the study of electromagnetic wave propagation and interference patterns.
Well, it is the difference between the path lines, but not the path length difference.songoku said: