Path Difference Path Difference is measured in wavelengths, λ
If two light waves leave a bulb and hit a screen the difference in how far the waves have travelled is called the path difference. Path difference is measured in terms of wavelengths.
| B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Path Difference | ¼λ | ½λ | ¾λ | 1λ | 1¼λ | 1½λ | 1¾λ | 2λ | 2¼λ | 2½λ | 2¾λ | 3λ |
So two waves leaving A with one making it to F and the other to J will have a path difference of 1 wavelength (1λ).
| Section 3 | Longitudinal and Transverse Waves | |
|---|---|---|
| Lesson 2 | ||
| Learning Outcomes | To be able explain the differences between longitudinal and transverse waves | |
| To know examples of each | ||
| To be explain what polarisation is and how it proves light is a transverse wave | M.BENYOHAI |