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MHT CET 2026 (12 May, Shift 1) · Progressive Wave Equation

Progressive Wave Equation question from MHT CET 2026 (12 May, Shift 1)

Q15MHT CET 2026 · 12 MAY · SHIFT 1Easy

Progressive Wave Equation

Two simple harmonic progressive waves have displacements y1=5sin⁡(2πxλ−ωt)y_1 = 5\sin\left(\frac{2\pi x}{\lambda} - \omega t\right) and y2=5cos⁡(2πxλ−ωt+π6)y_2 = 5\cos\left(\frac{2\pi x}{\lambda} - \omega t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right). The phase difference between the two waves is

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Answer: (c)

  1. Let θ=2πxλ−ωt\theta = \frac{2\pi x}{\lambda} - \omega t. Then y1=5sin⁡θy_1 = 5\sin\theta.
  2. y2=5cos⁡(θ+π6)=5sin⁡(θ+π6+π2)=5sin⁡(θ+2π3)y_2 = 5\cos\left(\theta + \frac{\pi}{6}\right) = 5\sin\left(\theta + \frac{\pi}{6} + \frac{\pi}{2}\right) = 5\sin\left(\theta + \frac{2\pi}{3}\right)
  3. Phase difference =2π3= \frac{2\pi}{3}
  4. So the answer is (c) 2π3\frac{2\pi}{3}.
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