IB Physics SL C.3.7 Path difference
IB Physics SL C.3.7 Path difference
Practise using path and phase differences from source distances or ray diagrams to justify whether a point is a maximum or minimum.
How this is tested
- use source distances on a wave or ray diagram to calculate path difference and decide if a point is bright or dark
- apply Δφ = 2πΔx/λ to convert a path difference into phase difference, keeping wavelength units consistent
- show constructive or destructive interference by comparing Δx with nλ or (n + 1/2)λ on the diagram