Understanding Coherent Waves: Frequency and Phase Differences Explained

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    Coherent Waves
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Coherence in waves refers to the correlation of their properties, particularly phase difference. While coherent waves are often described as having the same frequency, they can also be numerical multiples of each other. This results in a beat frequency equal to the highest common factor of the frequencies involved. The phase difference between a fundamental frequency and its harmonics changes constantly, but remains a whole number of cycles over time. Understanding these relationships is crucial in wave physics.
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is it necessary ffor coherent waves to be of same frequency? bcoz everywhere i read its written dat they must have a constant phse difference. but can't they have frequencies dat are simple numerical multiples of each other?
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That depends on what you mean by coherent. Coherence just describes the correlation of the properties of waves. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coherence_(physics )
 
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i think yes.. being multiples makes waves beat at the frequency that is HCF of both the frequencies.
 
There is a constantly changing phase difference between a fundamental and second harmonic. 2πf radians per second, actually. It just happens that, every cycle of the fundamental, the phase is a whole number of cycles.
 
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