Two Sources
Part of the Optics, Waves and Modern Physics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 25 of 53.
Two sources in step, each sending out circular ripples.
Crest meets crest: big waves. Crest meets trough: calm water.
At a point P it depends on the path difference |r₁ − r₂|, in wavelengths.
Challenge
A point P in a ripple tank is 5 cm from S₁ and 6.5 cm from S₂. The ripples have a wavelength of 1 cm. How many wavelengths N is the path difference?
Try it yourself
This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Optics, Waves and Modern Physics
1Reflection and Refraction
Reflection of LightThe Refractive IndexSnell's LawTotal Internal ReflectionDispersionApparent DepthRecap - Optical Fiber4Mechanical Waves
What a Wave IsTwo Graphs of a WaveWhen Pulses MeetInterferenceStanding WavesHarmonicsRecap - Guitar String