Two identical waves traveling in the same direction are superimposed. What should be the phase difference between the waves for maximum destructive interference to occur?
PI radians out of phase.
1/2 period out of phase
For maximum destructive interference to occur, the two identical waves should have a phase difference of 180 degrees, or π radians.
To determine the phase difference between the waves for maximum destructive interference, we need to consider the concept of phase. The phase of a wave refers to the position of a point on the wave relative to a reference point.
For destructive interference to occur, the crests of one wave should coincide with the troughs of the other wave, resulting in a canceling out or reduction of the overall wave amplitude. This occurs when the phase difference between the waves is exactly half a wavelength.
To calculate the phase difference, we need to know the wavelength. Assuming the two identical waves have a wavelength λ, the phase difference for destructive interference would be:
Phase difference for destructive interference = λ/2
Therefore, the phase difference should be half a wavelength or λ/2 for maximum destructive interference to occur when two identical waves travel in the same direction and superimpose.