Question

Which two points on the wave shown in the diagram below are in phase with each other?

Answer 1

Answer:

4. B and D

Explanation:

Two points along a transverse wave (such as the one in the figure) are said to be in phase when:

- the vertical position of the two points is the same

- The oscillation of the wave is going in the same way for both points

Basically, we say that two points are in phase when they are separated by a complete cycle (one complete oscillation) of the wave.

For this wave, we see that point B and C have same displacement, but they are not in phase since in B the oscillation is going down while in C is going up.

Instead, B and D are in phase, because they are separated by one complete cycle: both points have same displacement and the oscillation is going in the same way for both of them.