Unit: waves
Year: 1996 Question#: 38
Question: Two points on a transverse wave that have the same magnitude of displacement from equilibrium are in phase if the points also have the...
(1 ) same direction of displacement and the same direction of motion
(2 ) same direction of displacement and the opposite direction of motion
(3 ) opposite direction of displacemet and the same direction of motion
(4 ) opposite direction of displacement and the opposite direction of motion
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Dustin C. (partly)
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Answer 1
same direction of displacement and the same direction of motion
CORRECT
This answer is correct because by definition to be in phase you must have the same direction of displacement and the same direction of motion. Notice points A and B are both the same displacement from the center line of the wave and both are on their way up as the wave moves to the right. return to top
Answer 2
same direction of displacment and the opposite direction of motion
INCORRECT
Points A and B are not in phase. They both have the same displacement from the ceneter line but thet are moving in opposite directions. By definition they both need to be in the same direction of displacement and direction of motion. So if it was in the opposite direction of motion they would not be in phase. return to top
Answer 3
opposite direction of displacement and the same direction of motion
INCORRECT
Points A and B have the same direction of motion but opposite displacements from the center position. By definition they both need to be in the same direction of displacement and direction of motion. So if it was in the opposite direction of displacement they would not be in phase. return to top
Answer 4
opposite direction of displacement and the opposite direction of motion
INCORRECT
Points A and B hve opposite displacements from the center line and opposite directions of motion. By definition they both need to be in the same direction of displacement and direction of motion. So if it was in the opposite direction of both motion and displacement they would not be in phase. return to top
What's this question really asking?
This question is really asking how you tell if two points are in phase. return to top
