What Mistake Am I Making in Calculating Fringe Width?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the calculation of fringe width in an interference pattern, where the user initially misapplies the formula, resulting in confusion over the correct expression. The correct fringe width is given by λL/d, while the user mistakenly calculates it as λL/2d, thinking they are measuring the distance between two dark fringes. Clarification reveals that the user was actually measuring half the fringe width, as the distance marked goes from the center of a bright fringe to the center of an adjacent dark fringe. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately defining fringe width in relation to the interference pattern. Understanding the intensity graph of the pattern further aids in resolving the confusion.
cupid.callin
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Homework Statement



attachment.php?attachmentid=35479&stc=1&d=1305217898.png



so here i have shown the distances of two dark fringes ...

from here ... fringe width is \frac{\lambda L}{2d}
L is distance of screen ... d is distance b/w 2 fringes.

but fringe width is \frac{\lambda L}{d} , right ?

What mistake am i making?
 

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What's the question?
 
i wrote it above

by using formula of distance of dark fringe ...

fringe width comes out to be ... <br /> \frac{\lambda L}{2d}<br />

but fringe width is <br /> \frac{\lambda L}{d}<br />

so why am i getting wrong answer
 
hello ... someone?
 
The fringe width is the distance between the centres of alternate dark(or bright) fringes.
Lamda D/d as marked on your diagram goes from the centre of a bright fringe to the centre of an adjacent dark fringe in other words you have marked in half the fringe width.
 
So you mean this is fringe width ??
attachment.php?attachmentid=35509&stc=1&d=1136054234.png

well this looks satisfying
 

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cupid.callin said:
So you mean this is fringe width ??
attachment.php?attachmentid=35509&stc=1&d=1136054234.png

well this looks satisfying

You have now marked the fringe width correctly.
 
are you sure?
because fringe width means "width of 1 fringe"
but (as you said) i have marked width of 2 fringes
 
I did not say you marked in the width of two fringes I said you marked in the width of half a fringe.The fringe width as marked above in red is correct since it goes from the centre of a bright fringe to the centre of an adjacent bright fringe.
Look at a graph of how the intensity varies smoothly across an interference pattern and this should clarify things for you.
 
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