Phase and Phase difference......Can somebody enlighten me?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of phase and phase difference in wave mechanics, focusing on both mathematical and geometric interpretations. Participants explore definitions, visual representations, and the implications of these concepts in understanding wave behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help in expressing the concepts of phase and phase difference both geometrically and logically.
  • Another suggests that phase difference can be represented by drawing sine waves, where the shift between them indicates the phase difference.
  • Phase is described as the argument of the trigonometric function that defines the wave, akin to an angle on a protractor or the position of the second hand on a clock.
  • Phase difference is characterized as the difference in phase between two points in time or between two waves, potentially including full revolutions in certain contexts.
  • One participant proposes that phase represents the condition of a particle at a specific point and time in a wave, while phase difference relates to the trigonometric arguments of that particle at different times.
  • It is noted that particles with the same phase are in similar positions, but phase itself does not equate to position.
  • Another participant emphasizes that phase is referenced to a specific time or position, while phase difference pertains to comparisons between different waves or signals, suggesting that context is crucial for clarity in usage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various interpretations of phase and phase difference, with no consensus reached on a single definition or explanation. Multiple viewpoints and definitions coexist, indicating a lack of agreement on the nuances of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some definitions may depend on specific contexts or assumptions, and the discussion does not resolve the potential ambiguity in the usage of terms related to phase and phase difference.

ajay.05
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I'm currently studying wave mechanics(high school level), and more thing that makes scribble all over is the concept of phase and Phase difference. After these long tries, I could mathematically think of what they are, but cannot geometrically or logically express it. Can someone help me out...
 
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Draw a regular sine waves on a graph and then draw another one shifted over to the right a bit from the regular one. The shift is the amount of phase difference.
 
Phase is the argument of the trig-function describing the wave...
the "angle-reading on a protractor", or think of the second-hand on an analog clock.
Phase-difference is the difference in phase (phase now - phase before)...
the difference in angle-readings, or the angle between the angular positions of the second-hands.
(Technically, one may have to include full revolutions in certain cases..)
 
Or can I say like this...phase is the condition/position of a particle at a particular point and at a particular instant of time in a traveling wave, and difference between trigonometric arguments of a particular particle at different instants of time is phase difference. Is that right? Anything to add more?
 
Particles with the same phase in a wave are in similar positions. But the phase is not the position.
 
I would say that 'phase' is referrenced to a particular, chosen time or position of the wave or signal in question. 'Phase Difference' is referred to another wave or signal.
People may not be too fussy about how the terms are used. Context should make it clear which is the intended meaning.
 

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