Wave phase
Published: August 25, 2008, 12:05 am
Updated: August 25, 2008, 12:05 am
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry As applied to waves of electromagnetic radiation, phase is the relative measure of the alignment between two waveforms of similar frequency. They are said to be in phase if the peaks and troughs of the two waves match up with each other in time. They are said to be out of phase to the extent that they do not match up. Phase is expressed in degrees from 0 to 360.
The phase difference between two waves, or phase change in a single wave, can apply in different areas of interplanetary space flight. Phase shifts in a spacecraft's telecommunications radio signal can be employed to carry information. Observations of effects from the Sun (or other body) upon the phase (and other characteristics) of a radio signal can provide information about that body to radio scientists. Interactions between radio waves, or light waves, given their phase relationships, can also be useful in many ways.
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This article is taken wholly from, or contains information that was originally published by, the NASA. Topic editors and authors for the Encyclopedia of Earth may have edited its content or added new information. The use of information from the NASA should not be construed as support for or endorsement by that organization for any new information added by EoE personnel, or for any editing of the original content.
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Citation
NASA (Content Source);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Wave phase". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 25, 2008; Last revised Date August 25, 2008; Retrieved June 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Wave_phase>
As applied to waves of electromagnetic radiation, phase is the relative measure of the alignment between two waveforms of similar frequency. They are said to be in phase if the peaks and troughs of the two waves match up with each other in time. They are said to be out of phase to the extent that they do not match up. Phase is expressed in degrees from 0 to 360.
The phase difference between two waves, or phase change in a single wave, can apply in different areas of interplanetary space flight. Phase shifts in a spacecraft's telecommunications radio signal can be employed to carry information. Observations of effects from the Sun (or other body) upon the phase (and other characteristics) of a radio signal can provide information about that body to radio scientists. Interactions between radio waves, or light waves, given their phase relationships, can also be useful in many ways.
Further Reading
|
Disclaimer:
This article is taken wholly from, or contains information that was originally published by, the NASA. Topic editors and authors for the Encyclopedia of Earth may have edited its content or added new information. The use of information from the NASA should not be construed as support for or endorsement by that organization for any new information added by EoE personnel, or for any editing of the original content.
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Waves in phase. (Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA)
180° out of phase. (Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA)
40° out of phase. (Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA)
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