Double Slit Diffraction fringes

In summary, the problem involves a parallel beam of mono-chromatic light (500nm) being incident on 2 long narrow slits with a width of 0.1mm and a distance of 0.3mm between their centers. Part a) asks for the number of bright fringes covering the central diffraction maximum, which is found to be 1200 by converting the values to meters. Part b) involves calculating the angle corresponding to the first diffraction minima, which is found to be 0.048 degrees. Part c) requires finding the range of the diffraction central bright band and determining the condition for interference maxima, resulting in a total of 2m+1 bright bands on one side. The
  • #1
foxx0775
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Homework Statement



A parallel beam of mono-chromatic light (500nm) is incident on 2 long narrow slits: slit width is 0.1mm and the distance between slit centres is 0.3mm.

a) How many bright fringes cover the central diffraction maximum?

Homework Equations



Condition for constructive interference:
[tex]\Delta = 2d.cos\theta = 2m(\lambda\div2)[/tex]

Reduces to:

[tex]2d=m\lambda[/tex] as [tex] cos\theta=1[/tex] ?


The Attempt at a Solution



I get 1200 once I convert both[tex] d [/tex]and [tex]\lambda[/tex] into metres. Is this the right thing to do? I'm not sure this is the amount that cover the central maximum, what does this bit mean?

- - - Part b)

Homework Statement



Part b) Calculate the angle corresponding to the first diffraction minima

Homework Equations



[tex]sin\theta= ((2m-1)\lambda)\div2)\div d [/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



Taking m as 1 because it is the first diffraction minima

Reduces to:

[tex]\theta = arcsin[ (5\times10^{-7}) / (6\times10^{-4}) ][/tex]

I get [tex]\theta[/tex] = 0.048 degrees

is this correct?

There is part c) but haven't attempted it yet, overall the whole question is allocated 14 marks.
 
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  • #2
we need to find the range of the diffraction central bright band first by using 1st minima condition a sin theta= lambda(m=1 for first minima) and a=slit width
then we determine the condition for interferance maxima (in the same angular range)by using d sin theta= m lambda where d= distance between two slits,m= 1,2,3... for the right half.
dividing these 2 equations , we will get m which will indicate the number of interferance bright bands within the first diffraction band ON ONE SIDE ONLY.
remember that we still need to add the left half and the central bright interferance band.
in general , the number of bright bands will be 2m+1.
 

1. What is double slit diffraction?

Double slit diffraction is a phenomenon that occurs when a light wave passes through two narrow slits that are close together. The light waves diffract, or spread out, as they pass through the slits, creating a pattern of bright and dark fringes on a screen behind the slits.

2. What causes double slit diffraction?

Double slit diffraction is caused by the interference of light waves. When the waves pass through the two slits, they interfere with each other, creating areas of constructive and destructive interference. This results in the pattern of fringes on the screen.

3. How does the distance between the slits affect the diffraction pattern?

The distance between the slits, also known as the slit separation, affects the diffraction pattern by changing the spacing of the fringes. When the slit separation is larger, the fringes are closer together, and when it is smaller, the fringes are further apart.

4. Can other types of waves exhibit double slit diffraction?

Yes, not only light waves, but other types of waves, such as sound waves and water waves, can also exhibit double slit diffraction. This is because all waves can diffract and interfere with each other.

5. What is the practical application of double slit diffraction?

Double slit diffraction has various practical applications, including in optics, where it is used to measure the wavelength of light and in spectroscopy, where it is used to identify the chemical composition of substances. It is also used in diffraction gratings, which are used in many optical devices such as cameras and telescopes.

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