How Does Tilting the Screen Affect the Double Slit Interference Pattern?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the effect of tilting a screen on the double slit interference pattern, specifically how to achieve a maximum at a height h above the center line of the slits. Participants debate whether tilting the screen towards the slits alters the angle necessary to transition from a minimum to a maximum, referencing the equation dsin(theta) = n*lambda. It is concluded that simply tilting the screen does not suffice to achieve a maximum at the first minimum, as this would require increasing the height of the point on the screen above the horizontal line connecting the slits.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of double slit interference patterns
  • Familiarity with the principles of wave interference
  • Knowledge of the equation dsin(theta) = n*lambda
  • Basic trigonometry related to angles and heights
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical derivation of double slit interference patterns
  • Learn about the impact of screen angle on interference maxima and minima
  • Study the concept of path difference in wave interference
  • Explore practical experiments demonstrating double slit interference
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators preparing for discussions on wave mechanics, and anyone interested in the principles of light interference and its applications in optics.

siifuthun
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A vertical screen has two narrow slits separated by distance d. A
second screen, parallel to the first, is a distance L away (L>>d) and
displays the first minimum of the two slit interference pattern a height
h above the horizontal line drawn from the center of the slits to the
second screen. What is the smallest angle that the second screen be
tilted to make that minimum become a maximum?

I think that what they're asking for is what angle do we tilt the screen so that a maximum occurs at height h. In that case, if we were to slant the screen towards the slits, would the angle that the second screen is moved be equal to the angle between the two slits? If that's the case, then do we just solve for dsin(theta) = n*lambda?

Or would I need make the distance that these two rays travel equal to 1 wavelength by adding another 1/2 wavelength by slanting the screen?
 
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siifuthun said:
A vertical screen has two narrow slits separated by distance d. A
second screen, parallel to the first, is a distance L away (L>>d) and
displays the first minimum of the two slit interference pattern a height
h above the horizontal line drawn from the center of the slits to the
second screen. What is the smallest angle that the second screen be
tilted to make that minimum become a maximum?
I think that what they're asking for is what angle do we tilt the screen so that a maximum occurs at height h. In that case, if we were to slant the screen towards the slits, would the angle that the second screen is moved be equal to the angle between the two slits? If that's the case, then do we just solve for dsin(theta) = n*lambda?
Or would I need make the distance that these two rays travel equal to 1 wavelength by adding another 1/2 wavelength by slanting the screen?
I don't see how you would get a maximum at the position of first minima by tilting the screen. To get the first maximum, you would need to make that point on the screen at a greater height above the horizontal line between the centre of the slits to the screen. By tilting it, you will only make it decrease.

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
I don't see how you would get a maximum at the position of first minima by tilting the screen. To get the first maximum, you would need to make that point on the screen at a greater height above the horizontal line between the centre of the slits to the screen. By tilting it, you will only make it decrease.
AM

Hmm, I don't know, I was a bit confused as to what the professor was asking, he made up this problem and didn't check for any errors before posting it as a practice for the midterm. We're going to go over in discussion today, so maybe that'll help.
 

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