Fáziseltolódás

Fáziseltolódás, also known as phase shift or phase lag/lead, is a concept used in physics and engineering to describe the difference in phase between two periodic waveforms that have the same frequency. When two waves are compared, their peaks and troughs may not align perfectly. This misalignment is the phase shift.

A phase shift is typically measured in degrees or radians. A shift of 360 degrees or 2π radians represents a full cycle, meaning the waves are in phase. A shift of 180 degrees or π radians indicates that the waves are exactly out of phase, where the peak of one wave corresponds to the trough of the other.

In electrical circuits, phase shift is crucial. For example, in alternating current (AC) circuits, the voltage and current waveforms may not be perfectly synchronized. This is often due to the presence of reactive components like capacitors and inductors. A capacitor typically causes the current to lead the voltage, while an inductor causes the current to lag behind the voltage. Understanding this fáziseltolódás is essential for calculating power, impedance, and analyzing circuit behavior.

The concept also appears in wave phenomena such as sound waves and light waves, where differences in arrival times or propagation paths can lead to phase shifts. This can result in constructive or destructive interference, affecting the amplitude of the combined waves.