For the travelling harmonic wave

y(x, t) = 2.0 cos 2π (10t – 0.0080 x + 0.35)


Where x and y are in cm and t in s. Calculate the phase difference between oscillatory motion of two points separated by a distance of


(a) 4 m,


(b) 0.5 m,


(c) λ/2,


(d) 3λ/4

Given:

Equation of a travelling wave is given by


y(x, t) = 2.0 cos 2π (10t – 0.0080 x + 0.35)


which can be written as,


y(x, t) = 2.0 cos(20 πt – 0.016πx + 0.7 π )


Where,


Propagation constant, k = 0.016 π


Amplitude, a = 2 cm


Angular frequency, w = 20 π rad s-1


Phase difference is given by the relation,


Φ = kx = 2 π/λ …(1)


a) For x = 4m = 400 cm


Φ = 0.016 π× 400cm = 6.4 π rad


b) For x = 0.5m = 50 cm


Φ = 0.016 π× 50cm = 0.8 π rad


c) For x = λ/2


Φ = 2 π/λ × λ/2 = π rad


d) For x = 3λ/4


Φ = 2 π/λ × 3λ/4 = 3π/2 rad


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