Question

Two waves are represented by the equations Y₁ = a sin(ωt- kx) and Y₂ = a cos (ω t – kx). What is the phase difference between them?

Answer 1

π/2 radians.

Y₁ = a sin (ω t – kx).

Y₂= a cos (ω t – kx).

= a sin(ω t – kx + π /2).

∴ Phase difference between Y₁ and Y₂ is π/2 rad.