Calculating Minimum Width for 5 Interference Maxima

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 5K views
msk172
Messages
22
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Ramon has a coherent light source with wavelength 554 nm. He wishes to send light through a double slit with slit separation of 1.5 mm to a screen 90 cm away. What is the minimum width of the screen if Ramon wants to display five interference maxima?


Homework Equations



λ/s = w/D

λ= wavelength (554nm - converted to 5.54e-4 mm)
s= slit separation (1.5mm - provided by question)
w= width between maxima (use 5w do to question asking for 5 interference maxima)
D= distance to screen (90cm - converted to 900mm provided by question)

The Attempt at a Solution



Given that three of the four variables are known values, this should be simple as plug and solve. For some reason it is not liking the answer I am providing. The left side of the equation is simply 5.54e-4 / 1.5 which one would set equal to 5w / 900. Where am I going wrong here? Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Follow up: Figured it out. Initially thought of the question as asking about 5 maxima per side (thus 10 total). One maxima in the center, two per side, 5 total. w * 4 yields correct value.