What is the definition of phase lag and phase difference?

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Phase lag refers to the delay between two waves, often used to describe the phase difference in propagating waves like lasers or sound. It occurs when one wave is retarded due to factors such as passing through a medium, exemplified by a laser beam traveling through a glass. The terms phase and phase lag can be used interchangeably, though phase typically refers to the position of a wave in its cycle. The phase difference is calculated by subtracting the phase of one wave from another. Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping wave behavior in various applications.
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what is the definition of phase lag and phase difference in waves and how are these 2 related?please explain in simple words and with real life examples.
Please explain phase,phase lag and phase difference from scratch.
 
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The two terms can be used interchangeably. Phase lag is usually more used to describe the phase difference arising between two propagating waves like laser or sound wave. Suppose two laser are fired at the same time, in the path of one of the laser, one places a glass of certain length. A phase lag between the two lasers will arise when one of the laser is retarded because of the propagation in the glass. Nevertheless, I don't think there is that much difference in between the usage of the two terms.
 
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blue_leaf77 said:
The two terms can be used interchangeably. Phase lag is usually more used to describe the phase difference arising between two propagating waves like laser or sound wave. Suppose two laser are fired at the same time, in the path of one of the laser, one places a glass of certain length. A phase lag between the two lasers will arise when one of the laser is retarded because of the propagation in the glass. Nevertheless, I don't think there is that much difference in between the usage of the two terms.
Sir,but what is the actual definition of phase and phase lag,without understanding it,it is very difficult to understand your answers.Atleast suggest some website or video letures which explains these 2 terms from scratch.
 
Suppose you have a sinusoidal oscillation of the form ##y(\phi_1) = A_1\sin \phi_1##, the argument of the sine function, ##\theta## is called the phase. When now you have one more oscillation ##y(\phi_2) = A_2\sin\phi_2## and calculate the phase difference between it and the previous oscillation, it will be ##\Delta \phi = \phi_2-\phi_1##. For example see . That is just one of many youtube items which result when you type "phase difference" in its browser box.
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
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