Bright and dark fringes between two slits - waves

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of bright and dark fringes observed in the context of Young's double slit experiment, specifically focusing on the interference of light waves from two coherent sources. Participants are exploring the conditions that lead to constructive and destructive interference.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the role of path difference in determining the formation of bright and dark fringes. There are references to the mathematical conditions that define these phenomena, including the relationship between wavelength, slit separation, and distance to the screen.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the underlying principles of interference and have referenced external resources for further exploration. There is an ongoing exchange of ideas, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for additional information and resources, indicating that some may be limited by their experience level or posting restrictions on the forum.

Libra_girl
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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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