All Flashcards
What is the effect of increasing the slit separation (d) in double-slit interference?
The fringe spacing decreases.
What is the effect of increasing the wavelength () of light in double-slit interference?
The fringe spacing increases.
What happens when white light is used instead of monochromatic light in double-slit experiment?
The central fringe is white, but the other fringes are dispersed into a spectrum of colors.
What is the effect of increasing the number of slits in a diffraction grating?
The bright fringes become sharper and more intense.
What happens if the path length difference is an integer multiple of the wavelength?
Constructive interference occurs, resulting in a bright fringe.
What happens if the path length difference is a half-integer multiple of the wavelength?
Destructive interference occurs, resulting in a dark fringe.
Describe the process of double-slit interference.
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.
How does a diffraction grating disperse white light?
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.
Outline the steps to calculate the position of the mth order maximum in double-slit interference.
- Determine wavelength (), slit separation (d), and distance to the screen (L). 2. Use the formula: , where m = 0, 1, 2,... is the order of the maximum. 3. Substitute the values and solve for .
Describe the process of creating an interference pattern with a diffraction grating.
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.
What are the steps to determine the wavelength of light using a diffraction grating?
- Shine the light through the diffraction grating. 2. Measure the angle () to a specific order maximum (m). 3. Use the grating equation: and solve for .
Compare and contrast double-slit interference and single-slit diffraction.
Double-slit: Two coherent sources, creates evenly spaced fringes. Single-slit: One slit, creates a central maximum wider than other fringes, with decreasing intensity.
What are the key differences between interference patterns produced by double slits and diffraction gratings?
Double slits: Fewer, broader fringes. Diffraction gratings: Sharper, more distinct fringes, higher resolution.