Amplitude and Young double slit experiment

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between slit size and light amplitude in the context of the Young double slit experiment. It is established that reducing the size of one slit does not decrease the intensity of light; rather, it affects the power output. The amplitude of light is directly related to intensity, which remains uniform across a slit illuminated by a plane wave. Therefore, the teacher's assertion that the amplitude decreases with a smaller slit is incorrect.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Young double slit experiment
  • Knowledge of light amplitude and intensity relationships
  • Familiarity with wave properties of light
  • Basic principles of power in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical relationship between amplitude and intensity in wave physics
  • Explore the effects of slit width on diffraction patterns in the Young double slit experiment
  • Study the concept of power in wave mechanics and its implications
  • Investigate how varying slit sizes influence interference patterns
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in wave mechanics and optical experiments will benefit from this discussion.

MBBphys
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Homework Statement


For a question in a worksheet (the actual question is irrelevant), my physics teacher said, in the context of the Young double slit experiment with light, if you make one of the slits smaller, then the amplitude of light from that source will also decrease.
Is that true?

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The Attempt at a Solution


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How did your teacher define light amplitude?
As far as I know, the amplitude of light is most often associated with the intensity. If the two slits is illuminated by a plane wave, the intensity and hence the amplitude across the slit opening is uniform. Reducing the slit size will obviously not affect the intensity, instead, it's the power (energy/time) which is decreasing.
 

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