When two waves are out-of-phase their peaks occur at different times.

When two waves are out-of-phase their peaks occur at different times.

• A. In-phase
• B. Synchronous
• C. Coincident
• D. Out-of-phase

Answer: (D)

Phase describes how the timing of one wave’s cycle compares to another. If their crests and troughs line up in time, the waves are in phase. When the crests occur at different times than the crests of the other wave, the waves are out of phase. This offset can vary, from a little bit of a cycle to half a cycle, and it determines how the waves interfere. The statement matches this idea exactly, since it describes peaks not aligning in time.

Phase describes how the timing of one wave’s cycle compares to another. If their crests and troughs line up in time, the waves are in phase. When the crests occur at different times than the crests of the other wave, the waves are out of phase. This offset can vary, from a little bit of a cycle to half a cycle, and it determines how the waves interfere. The statement matches this idea exactly, since it describes peaks not aligning in time.