Five coherent sources are used to produce an interference pattern. The phasor diagram shown could be used to calculate the intensity of the
A) first minimum in the interference pattern.
B) second maximum in an interference pattern.
C) first maximum in an interference pattern.
D) second minimum in an interference pattern.
E) None of these is correct.

Question

Five coherent sources are used to produce an interference pattern. The phasor diagram shown could be used to calculate the intensity of the
A) first minimum in the interference pattern. 
B) second maximum in an interference pattern. 
C) first maximum in an interference pattern. 
D) second minimum in an interference pattern. 
E) None of these is correct.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phasor diagram shows that the five sources are in phase and have equal amplitudes. This means that the interference between them will result in a maximum intensity at the point where all the waves add up constructively, which occurs at the first maximum in the interference pattern. Therefore, choice C is correct. The other options refer to points in the interference pattern where the waves interfere destructively, which would not be the case for five coherent sources in phase.

Five Coherent Sources Are Used to Produce an Interference Pattern