- #1
Bolter
- 262
- 31
- Homework Statement
- Calculate the phase difference
- Relevant Equations
- See below
So to do this problem I need the relevant formula for phase difference which is this:
I first need to find wavelength and this is lambda = velocity/frequency
So lambda = 257/641 = 0.40093603744 m
Hence phase difference (in radians) = 2pi * (2/0.40093603744) = 31.3 rads
My concern is that doesn't the phase difference always have to be less than 2pi radians? i.e. the path difference must always be less than the wavelength?
I know that exactly 4 wavelengths fit exactly into 2 meters and then you have 0.39625585 m left over. So should 0.39625585m be the path difference, thus the phase difference then becomes
phase difference = 2pi * (0.39625585/0.40093603744) = 6.2 radians
Any help would be really great! Thanks alot