Which of the following statements concerning the interference pattern described by the phasor diagram is true?
A) There are exactly seven coherent sources.
B) There is a relative minimum at the point in the pattern corresponding to the phasor diagram.
C) The amplitude of the resultant wave at the point in the pattern corresponding to the phasor diagram is less than the amplitudes of the individual waves.
D) The diagram corresponds to the third bright spot in the interference pattern.
E) None of these is correct.

Question

Which of the following statements concerning the interference pattern described by the phasor diagram is true?
A) There are exactly seven coherent sources. 
B) There is a relative minimum at the point in the pattern corresponding to the phasor diagram. 
C) The amplitude of the resultant wave at the point in the pattern corresponding to the phasor diagram is less than the amplitudes of the individual waves. 
D) The diagram corresponds to the third bright spot in the interference pattern. 
E) None of these is correct.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phasor diagram shows that the waves have different amplitudes and are out of phase by π/2. Therefore, at the point in the interference pattern corresponding to the phasor diagram, there will be destructive interference, resulting in a lower amplitude of the resultant wave than the individual waves. Choice A is incorrect as there are only four phasors shown in the diagram. Choice B is incorrect as there is a relative maximum at the point in the pattern corresponding to the phasor diagram. Choice D is incorrect as the phasor diagram does not correspond to any specific bright spot in the pattern.

Which of the Following Statements Concerning the Interference Pattern Described