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Maxima and minima of a light wave?

what is the maximm and minima of a light wave
is the maxima the peak
and the minima the trough
it makes little sense
because if the minina = the trough,
and that has the least intensity
THEN
why is the equilibrium 0
dark fringes at equilibrium

ty
i appreciate your time/effort.

Reply 1

Stonebridge

You are getting two things mixed up.
The "dark fringes" maxima and minima are interference patterns caused by light waves adding together such that they combine constructively (peak to peak or trough to trough) or destructively, peak to trough. The maxima and minima of the pattern are not the peaks and troughs of the waves themselves, they are caused by the peaks and troughs of 2 waves adding together.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 2

BenWilliams2109

SOOOO this is 8 years ago but i just spent ages figuring it out anddd - A mimima is the point of 0 displacement, so like on a sin wave a minima would be at 0, 180 and 360 degrees- A maxima however is the point of maximum displacement, so using the sin wave again itd be the points at 90 and 270 degrees, (just cos its "down" doesnt mean its a minima...)

Think of it in terms of magnitude, bigger magnitude is maxima, smaller magnitude is minima