Phase Difference between Waves Phase Difference : Simply it is the difference in ANGLE between 2 waves or difference in ANGLE between

2 points on a wave. At first we will try to relate the difference in wavelength (path difference) with phase difference. Here is a graph for the sine function (sinx) :

As we can see one wavelength is completed in 360 degree. So if there is a path difference of one wavelength between 2 waves or points on a wave then they have a phase difference of 360. Difference of one wavelength is equal to 360. So difference of X wavelength is equal to 360X. Or difference of half wavelength is equal to a phase difference of 180 degrees.

Significant Feautures of the Sine Graph

1. Note the graph starts from the origin position. 2. The first peak is at 90 degrees. Note : To Solve questions on phase difference the features of the graph must be remembered.

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Significant Feautures of the Cosine Graph

1. The graph does not start from origin. 2. The FIRST x-axis intercept comes at 90 degrees. 3. And the same rule that a phase difference of 360 degrees is equal to one wavelength.

Changes in Timeperiod
Another aspect what we have to take in consideration is the change in timeperiod. We all know that wavelength = speed of wave x timeperiod So what if the time period is halved ?..what will be the phase difference of the new wave with 0.5 times the original time period ? Remember in such case ,speed of wave remains constant. So wavelength is directly proportional to timeperiod. Halving the timeperiod halves the wavelength.

As we know the wavelength is halved so phase difference will be 180 degrees.

(FROM THE ABOVE RULE THAT ONE WAVELENGTH IS EQUAL TO 360 Degrees )

As a summary of the above points :

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Stationary Waves These waves always have a phase difference of 180 degrees between them.

Conversions Remember that 180 degrees = Pi Radians Similarly 360 degrees = 2 Pi Radians Radians is just another unit , like degrees, used for angles.

Handling the Questions.

Questions where a new wave with a phase difference of (any degrees) to an already given wave is to be plotted. A good way is to identify first what is the wave ( a sine or a cosine), very simply could be found by just checking that the wave starts from the origin or not. After figuring the nature of the wave, check how much divisions on the graph it takes for the wave to come to 90 degrees. (Note 90 degrees is a good reference mark and should be followed) For now suppose the question says to plot a new wave of phase difference of 60 degree to the original one.Lets suppose the number of divisions (for the original wave) to come to 90 degrees are 10 divisions. So By Unitary Method : 10 divisions 90 degrees X divisions 60 degrees. The value of x comes out to the nearest number : 7 divisions.

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So all you have to do is move the crests and troughs and x axis intercepts forward /backward by 7 divisions. And plot the new wave. If the new wave lags behind (and the x axis is the time axis)..move the crest, trough, x axis intercepts forward to the required divisions. If the new wave preceeds the original one (and the x axis is the time axis)..move the crest,trough, x axis intercepts backward to the required divisions. Tip : We only move x axis intercepts, troughs ,crests. Examination Questions (AS Level) Lets have a look at this question.

The question asks to determine the phase difference between Points P and Q ? Answer : First identify the type of wave, starts from origin so is a sine wave. From the feature of the sine wave we know that the first peak arrives at 90 degrees. So P is the point at 90 degrees. And the seond peak (trough) arrives at 270 degrees. If you dont get it have a look at the sine wave again given on the first page. So Phase Difference : 270-90= 180 degrees (Pi Radians) Ans.

(b) The wave shown in the question above has timperiod T. A New Wave moves forward for a time 0.25 T. Draw the new wave.
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Now we know that if we use a configuration of 0.25T ( one-quarter), the phase difference is 90 degrees. If you dont get it see the table given at Page 3. Now as we do it previously, count the number of divisions it takes for the wave to come to 90 degrees. In this case it takes 10 divisions. Now we have to provide a phase angle of 90 degrees so we move the x axis intercepts, troughs, crests (FORWARD AS GIVEN IN THE QUESTION) by 10 Divisions.

Here is how the new wave looks, notice how the x axis intercepts, crests and troughs are moved forward by 10 divisions and a new wave plotted. Forgive me for the bad drawing .

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Question : A second trasnverse wave T2, of amplitude A has the same waveform as wave T1 but lags behind T1 by a phase angle of 60 degrees. Draw the variation with time t of the displacement x of the point in wave T2. Answer : Again the situation is the same, the new wave which has to be drawn has a phase difference of 60 degrees to the original one. Step 1 : Identify the wave , i.e it is a cosine wave. For this wave we know that the first x axis intercept is at 90 degrees. So the number of divisions to come to 90 degrees is 7.5 divisions. By Unitary Method : 90 degrees 7.5 divisions 60 degrees ..5 divsions Step 2 : Move the wave forward (because lags behind) by 5 divisions. And in doing so remember to move only x axis intercepts, troughs and crests. The new wave to be drawn is shown beneath.

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Notice : How the x axis intercepts, troughs and crests are moved forward by 5 divisions. Sorry for the bad drawing ! Hope this solved all your problems for AS Level Phase Differences.

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