Calculating the distance between fringes in an alternate universe

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the wavelength of golf balls, which is determined to be 20,000m, indicating that the resulting pattern is not an interference pattern like that of electrons. The formula d = n(lambda)/2 is used, with n set to 1, resulting in a distance of 10,000m between fringes. There is confusion about whether the distance d refers to the distance between fringes on the screen and how it relates to the distance from the slits to the screen. A correction is noted regarding a typo in the Planck constant, which should be to the power of -3. The conversation concludes with a mention of using geometry to calculate the angle and distance between fringes accurately.
Vitani1
Messages
51
Reaction score
9
Homework Statement
In an alternative universe, the Planck’s constant h= 6.625x103 J •s . A resident of the universe, stands in front of a window made of two narrow parallel slits 0.6 m apart and throws tiny golf balls (m = 66.25 g), one at a time, at the slits with a speed of 5 m/s. A wall is 12 m behind the window.
(a)Describe the pattern you expect to see on the wall as the number of golf balls hitting the wall increases.
(b)Calculate the distance between neighboring golf ball fringes on the wall.
Relevant Equations
lambda = h/p
It's straightforward to calculate the wavelength of the balls which is 20,000m. I said that because this is the case and then the pattern must not be a an interference pattern as with electrons.

The second question relies on the formula d = n(lambda)/2. Setting n = 1 for two golf balls will give me 10,000m.

I am asking for help because these are large numbers. Obviously I don't want the answer but just some feedback.

Thanks,

John
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Vitani1 said:
It's straightforward to calculate the wavelength of the balls which is 20,000m. I said that because this is the case and then the pattern must not be a an interference pattern as with electrons.
Yes, you get a very large wavelength. I'm wondering if the question meant to take ##h = 6.625 \times 10^{-3} \rm J\cdot s## rather than ##h = 6.625 \times 10^3 \rm J\cdot s## .

The second question relies on the formula d = n(lambda)/2. Setting n = 1 for two golf balls will give me 10,000m.
Does ##d## represent the distance between fringes on the screen? If so, I don't understand this equation. Shouldn't the distance between fringes depend on the distance from the slits to the screen?
 
  • Like
Likes Vitani1
Actually I just met with my professor and he made a typo. It is in fact to the power of -3. Also, yes, I agree with you. There is a sin term in the original formula which I set equal to 1 because I assumed the balls were being shot at the screen on a trajectory perpendicular to its length.
 
  • Like
Likes TSny
I ended up calculating this angle and using some geometry to find this distance between fringes. Thanks for the help.
 
  • Like
Likes TSny
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K