Wave interference on beachfront

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating wave interference patterns at a beachfront with two gaps in a breakwater. The gaps are 9.0 m apart, and the breakwater is 12.0 m from the shore. Observations indicate that ten wave crests occur in 18 seconds, leading to a wave frequency of approximately 0.56 Hz. The key to solving the problem lies in determining the path lengths of the waves reaching the observer and calculating the phase difference, which is identified as π/2 due to destructive interference at a distance of 1.7 m from the starting point.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave interference principles
  • Knowledge of trigonometry and geometry, specifically similar triangles
  • Familiarity with the Pythagorean theorem
  • Basic concepts of wave frequency and wavelength
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the wavelength of the waves using the frequency derived from the observations
  • Explore the concept of destructive interference in wave physics
  • Learn about the application of the Pythagorean theorem in wave path length calculations
  • Investigate the effects of gap width on wave patterns in coastal engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on wave mechanics, as well as educators and anyone interested in coastal wave dynamics and interference patterns.

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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?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
You cab write r2 as
sqrt[12^2 +(4.5 - 1.7)^2]
Now find the path difference.
 

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