Understanding Phase Difference

What is the phase difference a measure of?

• The amplitude of a wave

• The distance between two waves

• The speed of a wave

• How out of sync two points are on a wave

Which formula is used to calculate phase difference?

• Phase difference = speed x time

• Phase difference = (delta lambda / lambda) x 360 degrees

• Phase difference = frequency / wavelength

• Phase difference = wavelength / frequency

In the first example, what is the phase difference between points 1 and 2?

• 90 degrees

• 180 degrees

• 360 degrees

• 270 degrees

In the second example, how much of the cycle do points P and Q differ by?

• One half

• Full cycle

• One quarter

• Three quarters

What is the phase difference between points P and Q in the second example?

• 180 degrees

• 90 degrees

• 360 degrees

• 270 degrees