2 point sources, S1 and S2, oscillating in phase send waves into the air at the same wavelength, 1.98 m. Given that there is a nodal point where the 2 waves overlap, find the smallest corresponding path length difference.

Question

istim · Answer

MY answer is 1m. Their answer is 0.99m.

anonymous · Answer

Nodal points, i.e. destructive interference, occurs when the waves are completely out of phase, i.e. the path length difference is 
$$ \frac{2n+1}{2}\lambda $$
where n is some integer.  The smallest value for this is half of the wavelength, which is 0.99 m.

istim · Answer

Sorry. My internet is wonky. Would the formula $$|PS _{2}-PS _{1}|=(n-1/2)\lambda/d$$ work?

istim · Answer

Hi again! Would that formula work?

anonymous · Answer

What are the PS's and the d?

istim · Answer

I dunno. Gimme a sec to read thru.

istim · Answer

The location of the points on the nodal lines.