Two Source Interference

Cards (8)

  • Only coherent sources can form an interference pattern
  • Waves are coherent when they have a constant phase difference
  • When two waves meet in phase and with a path difference of n λ, they constructively interfere
  • When two waves meet in antiphase and with a path difference of (n+1/2) λ, they destructively interfere
  • The central maximum has zero phase difference
  • Points of constructive interference are joined by antinodal lines
  • Points of destructive interference are joined by nodal lines
  • Dark spots are formed at minima due to wave cancellation