What is the Phase Difference Between Reflected Waves in a Thin Film of Water?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the phase difference between reflected light waves in a thin film of water, specifically for a film 1.0 µm thick with a wavelength of 526 nm. The participant successfully determined the wavelength in the film as 395.5 nm and calculated the number of wavelengths within the film's thickness. However, they struggled with the phase difference calculation until they were reminded to consider the phase shift that occurs upon reflection. After incorporating this factor, they found the correct phase difference to be 3.5 radians. The importance of accounting for reflection phase shifts in such calculations is emphasized.
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Homework Statement


Light of wavelength 526 nm is incident normally on a film of water 1.0 µm thick. The index of refraction of water is 1.33.
(c) What is the phase difference between the wave reflected from the top of the air-water interface and the one reflected from the bottom of the water-air interface in the region where the two reflected waves superpose?

Homework Equations


phase difference=(delta(r)/lambda)(2*pi)

The Attempt at a Solution


So I easily found the wavelength in the film for part a, which is 395.5 nm, and I easily found the number of wavelengths that are contained within the distance of the film, 2t, which was 5.06. The problem I am having is finding the phase difference. I tried doing (delta(r)/lambda)(2*pi)=(2t/lambda')(2*/pi)=(2.0µm/395.5 nm)(2*pi). I reduce to find the remaining fraction of wavelength, but no matter what combination I use, I can't get the right answer. And I can't derive a method off of the practice problems. Sample answer from a practice problem: Wavelength: 416; Film: 1.0 µm thick; Index of refraction: 1.33. Answer is 5.62 rad when I would get 2.45 rad, or some multiple of that.
 
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Did you consider the phase shift on reflection, where applicable?
 
Thank you, I completely forgot to factor that in. That was what I was missing and the answer was 3.5 rad.
 
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