Two waves of light in air travel through a layer

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the phase difference between two light waves traveling through different layers of plastic after emerging into air. The initial calculations yield a phase difference of 0.909 wavelengths, but the expected answer is 5.71, which raises questions about the units and interpretation of phase difference. Participants clarify that phase difference is expressed in radians, not as a number of wavelengths. There is confusion regarding whether the answer of 5.71 includes units, leading to a critique of the answer sheet's clarity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding phase difference in the context of wave behavior in different media.
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Homework Statement



Two waves of light in air, of wavelength 550 nm, are initially in phase. They then both travel through a layer of plastic as shown in the figure, with L1 = 4.00 μm, n1 = 1.40, L2 = 3.50 μm , and n2 = 1.60. What is their phase difference after they both have emerged from the layers, when they arrive at the same point?
halliday_9e_fig_35_35-177-1408377159428.jpg


Homework Equations


N is the numbers of lemdas
N1=L1*n1/λ
N2=L2*n2/λ
N in air = (L1-L2)/λ n(air)=1

The Attempt at a Solution


N2+Nair-N2=0.909 but the correct answer is 5.71?
 
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"Phase difference" is an angle (in radians), not the number of λ's.
 
TSny said:
"Phase difference" is an angle (in radians), not the number of λ's.
What is the name of the difference in wavelengths?
 
Any Help said:
What is the name of the difference in wavelengths?
You could also call the difference in wavelengths the "phase difference". So, the answer of .909 wavelengths is a correct answer. However, does the answer of 5.71 include any units?
 
TSny said:
You could also call the difference in wavelengths the "phase difference". However, does the answer of 5.71 include any units?
no only number
 
Any Help said:
no only number
"Bad form" on the part of the answer sheet.
 
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