This ChatGPT thing is really strange sometimes. I asked it about my theory, and here is what it said:
That didn't seem right to me, so I asked it the same question, but this time using the mini version of 4-o model. And here is what it said:
This version seems to be correct to me.
Question: If there are 5 light sources with a 10 Hz flicker, randomly flickering in relation to each other, what is the maximum and minimum frequency of their combined flicker?
Answer: If there are five light sources, each flickering at 10 Hz and randomly out of phase with one another, the combined flicker will be a superposition of their individual patterns. Here's the breakdown:
Maximum Frequency:
The maximum flicker frequency is determined by the intrinsic flicker frequency of each light source, which is 10 Hz in this case. Random phase relationships between the lights cannot increase the intrinsic flicker frequency. Therefore, the maximum combined flicker frequency is 10 Hz.
Minimum Frequency:
If the flicker of the light sources is perfectly out of phase and they cancel each other out, the combined flicker could theoretically produce a lower apparent flicker frequency, potentially as low as 0 Hz (no flicker). This occurs in cases where destructive interference leads to a steady combined output. Hence, the minimum frequency of the combined flicker is 0 Hz.
Summary:
Maximum combined flicker frequency: 10 Hz
Minimum combined flicker frequency: 0 Hz
These values result from the nature of superposition, where the lights’ out-of-phase interactions can either align (constructive interference) or cancel out (destructive interference).
That didn't seem right to me, so I asked it the same question, but this time using the mini version of 4-o model. And here is what it said:
When considering the combined flicker of 5 light sources, each with a 10 Hz flicker frequency and flickering randomly in relation to each other, the resulting flicker frequency range will depend on how the individual frequencies align. Here's the reasoning:
Maximum Frequency: When the individual flickers are completely in phase (meaning they all flicker together at exactly the same moment), their combined flicker is simply 10 Hz. However, if their flickers were to combine in such a way that they are perfectly out of phase, the flicker could theoretically add up to a frequency much higher than the individual frequency. Since the flickers are all 10 Hz, the maximum combined frequency would occur if each flicker is perfectly aligned in a way that adds all their cycles together. This could give a maximum frequency of 50 Hz (5 times the 10 Hz flicker).
Minimum Frequency: If the flickers are perfectly out of phase, such that they cancel each other out completely, you could experience a situation where the lights flicker very slowly or even appear to be stationary. This would give the minimum frequency of 0 Hz, indicating no perceptible flicker, essentially a steady light.
Therefore, the combined flicker frequency can range from 0 Hz (if they cancel out completely) to 50 Hz (if they are perfectly in phase).
This version seems to be correct to me.