Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Wave Interference
Wave interference occurs when two or more waves overlap and combine to form a new wave pattern. This can result in constructive interference, where waves add together to increase amplitude, or destructive interference, where waves cancel each other out. In the context of sound waves from speakers, the listener experiences variations in sound intensity depending on their position relative to the speakers.
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Path Difference
Path difference refers to the difference in distance traveled by two waves from their sources to a common point. For destructive interference to occur, the path difference must be an odd multiple of half the wavelength (e.g., λ/2, 3λ/2). In this scenario, calculating the path difference between the sound waves from speakers A and B as the listener moves is crucial for determining where cancellation occurs.
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Wavelength
Wavelength is the distance between successive crests (or troughs) of a wave, and it is a key factor in wave behavior. In this problem, the wavelength of the sound waves is given as 34 cm. Understanding how wavelength relates to frequency and wave speed is essential for analyzing interference patterns and predicting where sound will be canceled or amplified.
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