Limitations of Young's double slit experiment

In summary, the conversation discusses an experiment using a laser pointer, retort stand, and sheet with slit measurements to measure the height of maxima on a whiteboard. The question is raised about possible improvements to the experiment and the importance of varying parameters in scientific experimentation.
  • #1
iambadatscience
12
0

Homework Statement


From a procedure standpoint, our experiment consisted of a laser pointer on a retort stand with a holder, shining through a piece of sheet with slit measurements (I believe it's acetate) and measuring the height of the maxima on a whiteboard. What could be improved with this experiment?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


What could be improved with this experiment?
 
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  • #2
What things are changeable so that you can get a variety of measurements?
 
  • #3
I understand that there are other IV's that could have been tested, such as light intensity, wavelength etc... but what is wrong with specifically the experiment I did? The independent variable was the slit distance between the two slits
 
  • #4
As a scientist you need to vary parameters one at a time to truly test a phenomena. In your case, distances to the slit or slit size or wavelength are parameters that you can vary.

New science is often discovered by doing these small variations and then observing something interesting in the results.
 

1. What is the Young's double slit experiment and how does it work?

The Young's double slit experiment is a classic experiment in the field of optics that demonstrates the wave-like nature of light. It involves shining a coherent light source, such as a laser, through two parallel slits and observing the interference pattern produced on a screen placed behind the slits.

2. What are the limitations of the Young's double slit experiment?

One major limitation of the Young's double slit experiment is that it can only be used to study the wave properties of light. It cannot be used to investigate the particle-like nature of light. Additionally, the experiment assumes that the light source is coherent, which may not always be the case in real-world scenarios.

3. Can the Young's double slit experiment be used to study other types of waves?

Yes, the Young's double slit experiment can be used to study the wave properties of any type of wave, not just light. This includes sound waves, water waves, and even electron waves.

4. Are there any modifications that can be made to the Young's double slit experiment?

Yes, there are several modifications that can be made to the experiment to study different phenomena. For example, using narrower or wider slits can change the interference pattern, and using different types of light sources can also produce different results.

5. What real-world applications does the Young's double slit experiment have?

The Young's double slit experiment has many practical applications, including studying the diffraction of light, measuring the wavelength of light, and creating patterns for technology such as holograms and diffraction gratings. It has also been used in the field of quantum mechanics to study the wave-particle duality of matter.

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