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Question 192 of 199

Q.Obtain the relation between phase difference and path difference.

Puducherry TnboardTamil Nadu HSC (DGE) Board 2025Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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Since one full wavelength of path difference corresponds to one complete cycle (2π) of phase, phase difference and path difference are related by ϕ=(2π/λ)δ\phi=(2\pi/\lambda)\delta.

Derivation

Consider two waves of the same wavelength λ\lambda reaching a point after travelling paths differing by δ\delta (the path difference).

A wave travelling one full wavelength λ\lambda completes exactly one full cycle of oscillation, corresponding to a phase change of 2π2\pi radians. Since phase difference ϕ\phi is proportional to path difference δ\delta (both simply measure how "out of step" the two waves are):

ϕ2π=δλ\dfrac{\phi}{2\pi} = \dfrac{\delta}{\lambda}

Solving for ϕ\phi:

ϕ=2πλδ\phi = \dfrac{2\pi}{\lambda}\delta

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