Phase

In the context of physics, phase refers to the relative position of a feature (such as a peak or a trough) of a waveform, compared to that same feature on a second waveform. The phase may be measured as a time, distance, a fraction of the wavelength, or as an angle in radians.

Consider the two waves A and B in this diagram:

   ^      
   | **X**                   **X**
   |*     **               **     **
   |        *             *         *
A  |---------Z-----------Z-----------Z-----------Z------>
   |          *         *             *         *
   |           **     **               **     **
   |             **Y**                   **Y**
   |
   | **X**                   **X**
   |*     **               **     **
   |        *             *         *
B  |---------Z-----------Z-----------Z-----------Z------>
   |          *         *             *         *
   |           **     **               **     **
   |             **Y**                   **Y**

Both A and B have the same amplitude? and the same wavelength.

It's apparent that the positions of the peaks (X), troughs (Y) and zero-crossing points (Z) of both waves all coincide. The phase difference of the waves is thus zero, or, the waves are said to be in-phase.

If the two in-phase waves A and B are added together (for instance, if they are two light waves shining on the same spot), the result will be a third wave of the same wavelength as A and B, but with twice the amplitude?. This is known as constructive interference.

Now consider waves A and C:

   ^      
   | **X**                   **X**
   |*     **               **     **
   |        *             *         *
A  |---------Z-----------Z-----------Z-----------Z------>
   |          *         *             *         *
   |           **     **               **     **
   |             **Y**                   **Y**
   |
   |             **X**                   **X**
   |           **     **               **     **
   |          *         *             *         *
C  |---------Z-----------Z-----------Z-----------Z------>
   |        *             *         * 
   |*     **               **     **  
   | **Y**                   **Y**   

A and C are also of the same amplitude? and wavelength. However, it can be seen that although the zero-crossing points (Y) are coincident between A and C, the positions of the peaks and troughs are reversed, that is and X on A becomes a Y on B, and vice versa. In this case, the two waves are said to be out-of-phase, or the phase difference of the two waves is π radians, or half the wavelength (λ/2).

Should waves A and C be added, the result a wave of zero amplitude?. This is called destructive interference.

Also consider waves A and D:

   ^      
   | **X**                   **X**
   |*     **               **     **
   |        *             *         *
A  |---------Z-----------Z-----------Z-----------Z------>
   |          *         *             *         *
   |           **     **               **     **
   |             **Y**                   **Y**
   |
   |       **X**                   **X**
   |     **     **               **     **
   |    *         *             *         *
D  |---Z-----------Z-----------Z-----------Z------------>
   |  *             *         *             *
   |**               **     **               **
   |                   **Y**                   **Y

In this situation, a peak (X) on wave A becomes a zero-crossing point (Z) on B, a zero-point becomes a peak, and so on. The waves A and D can be said to be in quadrature, or exactly π/2, or λ/4 out of phase. This is the same relation that the mathematical functions sine(x) and cosine(x) have.

See also interferometer.

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/Talk?