Double slit: ratio of intensity of 3rd- and 0th-order maxima

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a double slit experiment where participants are tasked with estimating the ratio of the intensity of the third-order maximum to that of the zero-order maximum, given specific parameters related to slit separation and wavelength.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the use of equations related to interference and diffraction, questioning how to eliminate variables such as wavelength from the calculations. There is also a focus on the definitions of the parameters involved, particularly the units of distance for the slit separation.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the clarity of the problem statement and the correctness of the formulas being used. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for units and expressing distances in terms of wavelength, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach or values.

Contextual Notes

There is ambiguity regarding the units of the slit separation, and participants are attempting to clarify this while also addressing potential discrepancies in the provided values for the parameters.

DottZakapa
Messages
239
Reaction score
17
Homework Statement
In a double slit experiment let d=5.00 D=30.0λ. Estimate the ratio of the intensity of the third order maximum with that of the zero-order maximum.
Relevant Equations
interference diffraction
Homework Statement: In a double slit experiment let d=5.00 D=30.0λ. Estimate the ratio of the intensity of the third order maximum with that of the zero-order maximum.
Homework Equations: interference diffraction

i guess the goal is this equation

##I_{(\theta)}=I_0 \times(cos^2\beta)\times \left ( \frac {sin\alpha} \alpha \right)^2##

then i do

## D\sin \theta = 3\lambda##

##\sin\theta= \frac {3\lambda} D, \space \theta=5.74^0##

##\beta= \frac {\pi d} \lambda \sin \theta##

##\alpha = \frac {\pi D} \lambda \sin \theta \space##

substituting the data

##\alpha=\frac {\pi 30.0\lambda} \lambda \frac {3\lambda} {30.0\lambda}\space##
next

##\beta= \frac {\pi 5.00} \lambda \frac {3\lambda} {30.0\lambda}## i don't know how to solve this one, and solve the rest of the problem, how do i get rid of ##\space\lambda\space## at denominator?

any help please?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
DottZakapa said:
Homework Statement: In a double slit experiment let d=5.00 D=30.0λ. Estimate...
d is 5.00 what? Meters, inches, light years, ...
 
kuruman said:
d is 5.00 what? Meters, inches, light years, ...
That is what the text says. There is no other data informato. But i guess that d is the distance between the two slits
And D is the slits width.
 
DottZakapa said:
That is what the text says. There is no other data informato. But i guess that d is the distance between the two slits
And D is the slits width.
I'm sure you are right about the meaning of d and D. Nevertheless, units are needed for d. Note that if you can express d as a multiple of the wavelength λ, then you will be able to get rid of the extra λ in the denominator in the expression for ##\beta##.
 
kuruman said:
I'm sure you are right about the meaning of d and D. Nevertheless, units are needed for d. Note that if you can express d as a multiple of the wavelength λ, then you will be able to get rid of the extra λ in the denominator in the expression for ##\beta##.
this is the solution but... i don't understand from where those result come from
Screen Shot 2019-08-30 at 21.53.10.png
 
no one knows?
 
Looks like the solution is using D = 6λ and d = 30λ. (These are different values from what you gave in the statement of the problem.) Also, it appears to me that there is a mistake in the formula for ##I## given in the solution. I think the factor of ##\sin^2(\delta/2)## should be ##\cos^2(\delta/2)##.
 
TSny said:
I think the factor of ##\sin^2(\delta/2)## should be ##\cos^2(\delta/2)##.
you right, unfortunately i did not have the chance to meet the teacher and ask
 

Similar threads

Replies
46
Views
7K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K