Educational Background: PhD | Degree in: Physics | School: University S.U.N.Y at Stony Brook | Occupation: Physics Education
Introduction Physics teachers who are either writing physics questions that deal with waves on a string, or setting up equipment for a class lab or demo of standing waves on a string, might find the following analysis useful. When writing questions for physics tests or homework, it is preferable to use physically plausible values for…
Definition/Summary The double slit is a simple configuration used to demonstrate interference effects in waves. Equations At distances that are large compared to the spacing between the slits (i.e. the far field), the interference maxima (bright fringes) occur at angles such that [tex]d \ \sin\theta \ = \ m \ \lambda[/tex] where [tex]\begin{align*}d & =…