Four identical monochromatic sources A, B, C, D, as shown in the (Fig.10.7) produce waves of the same wavelength and are coherent. Two receiver R1 and R2 are at great but equal distances from B.
(i) Which of the two receivers picks up the larger signal?
(ii) Which of the two receivers picks up the larger signal when B is turned off?
(iii) Which of the two receivers picks up the larger signal when D is turned off?
(iv) Which of the two receivers can distinguish which of the sources B or D has been turned off?
(i) Let us consider the disturbances at the receiver R1, which is at a distance d from B.
Let the equation of wave at R1, because of A be
The path difference of the signal from A with that from B is and hence, the phase difference
Thus, the wave equation at R1, because of B is
The path difference of the signal from C with that from A is and hence the phase difference
Thus, the wave equation at R1 because of C is
The path difference between the signal from D with that of A is
Therefore, phase difference is
The resultant signal picked up at R_1, from all the four sources is the summation of all four waves,
Thus, the signal picked up at R1 is zero.
Now let us consider the resultant signal received at R2. Let the equation of wave at R2 . Let the equation
of wave at R2, because of B be
The path difference of the signal from from D with that from B is and
hence, the phase difference
Thus, the wave equation at because of D is
The path difference between signal at A and that at B is
As therefore this path differences
and phase difference
Hence,
Similarly,
The resultant signal picked up at from all the four sources is the summation of all four waves,
Signal picked up by is
Thus, picks up the larger signal.
(ii) If B is switched off,
, picks up
picks up
Thus , and pick up the same signal
(iii) If D is switched off.
picks up
picks up
Thus, picks up larger signal compared to .
(iv) Thus, a signal at indicates B has been switched off and an enhanced signal at indicates D has been switched off.