Two identical coherent sources placed on a diameter of a circle of radius R at separation x( R) symmetrically about the centre of the circle. The sources emit identical wavelength each. The number of points on the circle with maximum intensity is (x=5 )

Step-by-step solution

Path difference at P is x=2 ( x 2 )=x For intensity to be maximum x=n (n=0,1, ) aligned x & =n & = n x or 1 aligned array ll & n x 1 & n x array aligned & Substituting x=5 & n 5 or n=1,2,3,4,5, . aligned Therefore, in all four quadrants, there can be 20 maximas. There are more maximas at =0^ and =180^ . But n=5 corresponds to =90^ and =270^ , which are coming only twice. While we have multiplied it four times. Therefore, total number of maximas still 20.