Bright and dark fringes between two slits - waves

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Bright and dark fringes observed in the double-slit experiment result from the interference of light waves emanating from two coherent slits. Constructive interference occurs when the path difference is an integral multiple of the wavelength, creating bright fringes, while destructive interference occurs when the path difference is an odd multiple of half the wavelength, resulting in dark fringes. The mathematical relationship governing this phenomenon is expressed as lambda/d = x/L, where d is the distance between the slits, lambda is the wavelength, x is the distance of the fringe from the central maximum, and L is the distance to the screen. Understanding these principles clarifies why specific patterns of light and dark bands appear on the observation screen. This explanation is rooted in the foundational concepts of wave interference in physics.
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Homework Statement


Explain why we observe bright and dark fringes behind two thin slits illuminated by monochromatic light?


Homework Equations

Explain and justify the mathematical condition that determines whether a dark or bright fringe is formed.


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Google for youngs double slit experiment :)
 
Yep, owls is absolutely right. Here is an interesting link I found
( I don't have 15 posts yet thus I can't copy paste the link )
google for "young's double slit experiment" and click on the second link

If you still need help on this one, let us know
 
The two slits act as coherent sources of light, and at different points on the screen, the path difference between the two waves falling on that point varies, thus somewhere they interfere constructively (bright point, maxima) and at some points they interfere destructively (minima, dark band).

lambda / d = x/ L
d is distance between slits, lambda is the wavelength of monochromatic light, x is distance of first bright fringe from central maxima, L is distance of screen from the slits.
a bright fringe is obtained where the path difference between the light from the two slits is an integral multiple of lambda. so where
path diff = n.lamda .. bright fringe is obtained.
and when path difference is (2n-1).lambda/2 ...a dark band is obtained.
 
armis said:
Yep, owls is absolutely right. Here is an interesting link I found
( I don't have 15 posts yet thus I can't copy paste the link )
google for "young's double slit experiment" and click on the second link

If you still need help on this one, let us know

spideyunlimit said:
The two slits act as coherent sources of light, and at different points on the screen, the path difference between the two waves falling on that point varies, thus somewhere they interfere constructively (bright point, maxima) and at some points they interfere destructively (minima, dark band).

lambda / d = x/ L
d is distance between slits, lambda is the wavelength of monochromatic light, x is distance of first bright fringe from central maxima, L is distance of screen from the slits.
a bright fringe is obtained where the path difference between the light from the two slits is an integral multiple of lambda. so where
path diff = n.lamda .. bright fringe is obtained.
and when path difference is (2n-1).lambda/2 ...a dark band is obtained.

owls said:
Google for youngs double slit experiment :)




Thank you all.
 

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