Monochromatic light passes through two narrow slits, each slit acts as a coherent source, the light waves interfere constructively and destructively, creating a pattern of bright and dark fringes on a screen.

White light passes through the grating, each wavelength diffracts at a slightly different angle, red light (longest wavelength) diffracts the most, violet light (shortest wavelength) diffracts the least, creating a spectrum of colors.

1. Determine wavelength ($lambda$), slit separation (d), and distance to the screen (L). 2. Use the formula: $y_{ ext{max}} = frac{mlambda L}{d}$, where m = 0, 1, 2,... is the order of the maximum. 3. Substitute the values and solve for $y_{ ext{max}}$.

Monochromatic light is incident on the grating, each slit acts as a coherent source, the light waves interfere constructively at specific angles, creating bright spots at those angles.

1. Shine the light through the diffraction grating. 2. Measure the angle ($heta$) to a specific order maximum (m). 3. Use the grating equation: $d sin heta = m lambda$ and solve for $lambda$.

When two or more waves overlap in phase, resulting in a wave with a larger amplitude.

When two or more waves overlap out of phase, resulting in a wave with a smaller amplitude or cancellation.

Light of a single wavelength or frequency.

The difference in the distance traveled by two waves from coherent sources to a given point.

An optical component with many evenly spaced parallel slits or openings that diffract light and create interference patterns.

The bending of waves around obstacles or through apertures.

Double-slit: Two coherent sources, creates evenly spaced fringes. Single-slit: One slit, creates a central maximum wider than other fringes, with decreasing intensity.

Double slits: Fewer, broader fringes. Diffraction gratings: Sharper, more distinct fringes, higher resolution.