Wave interference on beachfront

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating wave interference at a beachfront with two gaps in a breakwater. The gaps are 9.0 m apart, and the observer is positioned 12.0 m from the breakwater, directly opposite the midpoint of the gaps. The observer measures the first point of no wave impact at 1.7 m from their starting position and notes ten wave crests passing in 18 seconds. The user attempts to find the path lengths using geometry but questions the accuracy of their method due to the angles involved. The conversation emphasizes the need to correctly calculate the path difference to understand the destructive interference observed.
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Homework Statement



While walking along the shore at your beachfront home, you notice that there are two narrow gaps in the breakwater, the wall that protects the shore from the waves. These gaps are 9.0 m apart and the breakwater is 12.0 m from the shore and parallel to it. You go to the shore directly opposite the mmidpoint between the gaps. As you walk along the shore, the first point where no waves reach you is 1.7 m from your starting point. Out beyond the breakwater you observe that there are ten wave crests in 18 s. How far apart are the wave crests? (Note: The distance of the person from the gaps is not large compared to the separation of the gaps, so the path length difference is not accurately give by \Delta l=dsin\theta)


Homework Equations



\Delta l=dsin\theta (disregarded)
tan\theta= y/L

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried solving this by directly finding the path lengths r1 and r2 using geometry and similar triangles, but I don't think this would work since the subtraction would rely on them being parallel. I did:

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2263/wavesl.jpg

Found r1 using pyth. Theorem, found r2 using similar triangles and pyth. theorem. Subtracted the values and plugged the result into the phase difference equation. The phase difference is pi/2 since the spot on the shore is destructive interference.

Like I said I don't think this is correct, what should should I do?
 
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You cab write r2 as
sqrt[12^2 +(4.5 - 1.7)^2]
Now find the path difference.
 
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