Understanding the Phases in the Double-Slit Experiment

In summary, the conversation is about a student who had their take-home exam graded without any feedback or help available. They are asking for someone to point out their mistakes, but the person responding explains that they did not even attempt the problem correctly and their answer was physically impossible. The person also suggests that the student lacks understanding of the basic concepts involved. They then ask the student to explain why the waves from the double-slit experiment arrive at different phases on the screen.
  • #1
I Am Robot
13
0
1. Homework Statement and all the rest
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This is from a take home exam we already had graded. Professor does not mark our papers or review and we have no tutors. :(

Can someone point where I went wrong? The blues are the few markings he made that I went over again and the orange just seperates.
 
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  • #2
Sorry, but it's not so much a matter of where you went wrong; you never even got started. First, you didn't do the problem the way you were ask to, using phasors. Second, the answer you got, 3 E0, is physically impossible, and you should have recognized this. Finally, it's pretty clear you don't understand the basic concepts behind the double-slit experiment.

Start by answering the question: Why do the waves from the two slits arrive at a point on the screen with different phases?
 

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Related to Understanding the Phases in the Double-Slit Experiment

What is a phasor diagram?

A phasor diagram is a graphical representation of a sinusoidal wave, where the amplitude and phase of the wave are represented by a vector. It is commonly used to analyze the behavior of electrical circuits and systems.

How is a phasor diagram used to find the value of E?

A phasor diagram can be used to determine the value of E, which represents the magnitude and phase of the voltage or current in an electrical circuit. By measuring the length and angle of the phasor, the value of E can be calculated using trigonometric functions.

What is the difference between a phasor diagram and a time domain graph?

A phasor diagram is a representation of a sinusoidal waveform in the frequency domain, while a time domain graph shows the variation of a signal over time. A phasor diagram is useful for analyzing the steady-state behavior of a circuit, while a time domain graph shows the dynamic behavior of a circuit.

How can a phasor diagram be used to analyze AC circuits?

A phasor diagram is a powerful tool for analyzing AC circuits. It can be used to determine the phase relationship between voltage and current, calculate impedance and power, and identify resonant frequencies. It can also be used to analyze the behavior of complex circuits with multiple components.

What are the limitations of using a phasor diagram?

While a phasor diagram is a useful tool for analyzing AC circuits, it has some limitations. It assumes that the circuit is operating at steady-state and does not take into account non-linear components. It also does not account for the effects of noise or harmonics, which can impact the accuracy of the results.

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