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Three waves from three coherent sources ...

Three waves from three coherent sources meet at some point .
Resultant amplitude of each is `A_0`. Intensity corresponding to `A_0 is I_0`. Phase
difference between first wave and the second wave is `60^@` . Path difference
between first wave and the third wave is `lambda/3.` The first wave lags behind in phase
angle from second and the third wave. Find resultant intensity at this point.

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

Here, the sources are three. So, we don't have any direct formula for finding the
resultant intensity. First we will find the resultant amplitude by vector method and then, by the
relation ` I prop A^2 `, we can also find the resulting intensity .
Further, a path difference of `lambda/3` is equivalent to a phase difference of `120^@ (Delta phi or phi =2pi/lambda. Delta x.)`
Hence, the phase difference first and second is `60^@` and between first and third is `120^@`. So, vector
diagram for amplitude is as shown below.

Now, resultant of first and third acting at `120^@` is also `A_0` as `(A= 2A_0 "cos"(phi/2) and phi= 120^@` and
since the first and third are equal, so this resultant `A_0`passes through the bisector line of these
two or in the direction of second amplitude vector. Therefore, the resultant amplitude is
` A = A_0 +A_0 = 2A_0`
and the resultant intensity is
`I = 4I_0 (as I prop A^2)`.
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