Double Slit Experiment With White Light

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the fringe pattern produced by white light in the double slit experiment. Richard inquires whether the pattern would appear as a single light beam that gradually darkens away from the central maximum. Mayday clarifies that the fringe separation for white light, which consists of multiple frequencies, would differ from that of blue light, a single frequency. The result is a central bright fringe with less distinct fringes on either side due to the overlapping of various wavelengths.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the double slit experiment
  • Knowledge of light wave interference
  • Familiarity with the concept of fringe patterns
  • Basic principles of optics and wavelength
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical formulation of fringe patterns in the double slit experiment
  • Explore the effects of wavelength on interference patterns
  • Learn about the differences between monochromatic and polychromatic light
  • Investigate the implications of quantum mechanics on the double slit experiment
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching optics, and anyone interested in the principles of wave interference and light behavior.

richardstan
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Hi,
I have a physics assignment which is asking me what the fringe pattern would look like if white light was passed through a double slit. Would it look like a single light which became gradually darker the further away it got from the central maximum?
Thanks in advance
Richard.
 
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I do not know what level of Physics you are working at. I have a wikipedia link which I will post below and a youtube video which might help. With the wikipedia extract, you might not need to read the whole thing but just pick out the bits that apply to your work, like I doubt you would need to know about Quantum versions of the experiment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfPeprQ7oGc"

Hope this helped you.

_Mayday_
 
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Hi, i don't think i gave enough information in my question.
What would the fringe separation look like for white light (multiple frequencies) compared for example to blue light (one frequency). Would it look like a single beam which was bright in the middle and less bright as you went away from the middle, or would there still be several fringes which were less apparent because of all the different frequencies of light constructing in different places?
Thanks in Advance
Richard.
 
Hope this explains everything
http://www.itp.uni-hannover.de/~zawischa/ITP/bildchen/spalt03.png
 
Sparkle2009 said:
Hope this explains everything
http://www.itp.uni-hannover.de/~zawischa/ITP/bildchen/spalt03.png

Yes it does . Thanks!
 

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