Double-Split experiment with light

In summary, the Young's Double-Slit experiment demonstrates how two waves of light can interfere with each other. This interference produces an interference pattern with alternating bands of light and dark. The size of the interference pattern is not determined by the size of the waves, but rather by the size of the slits and the wavelength of visible light. This is because when the waves pass through narrow slits, they behave like point sources and the interference occurs based on the difference in path lengths between these sources. This can result in larger interference patterns than the actual wavelength of the light would suggest. For a more detailed explanation, Wikipedia has a comprehensive article on the classical wave-optics formulation of the experiment.
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Young's Double-Split experiment shows two waves of light interfering with each other.

However I have a question I was hoping someone can help me with.

Why is it we can see the Interference Pattern with large bands of light and dark?

Would not the waves be so small that the interference pattern would be also very small and not detectable by eye?

I can only guess its something to do with the size of the slits and the wave length of visible light.
 
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If we have narrow slits, then each slit will act like a point source for a new wave. So instead of a plane wavefront, the point source will be spherical (or cylindrical in 2D) wavefront. So the interference results in the differing path lengths that the two point sources experience when the wavefronts combine. For small angles, the change in the path length for the first few fringes is very slight and so we can get interference bands that are much larger than the actual wavelength.

Wikipedia has a good explanation in their article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment#Classical_wave-optics_formulation
 

1. What is the double-slit experiment with light?

The double-slit experiment with light is a famous physics experiment that demonstrates the wave-particle duality of light. It involves shining a beam of light through two parallel slits and observing the resulting interference pattern on a screen.

2. Who first conducted the double-slit experiment with light?

The double-slit experiment with light was first conducted by English physicist Thomas Young in 1801. He used sunlight and two narrow slits to observe the interference pattern, which supported the wave nature of light.

3. How does the double-slit experiment with light demonstrate wave-particle duality?

The double-slit experiment with light demonstrates wave-particle duality by showing that light behaves as both a wave and a particle. When the experiment is conducted with a single slit, the light behaves as a particle, creating a single line on the screen. However, when the experiment is conducted with two slits, the light behaves as a wave, creating an interference pattern on the screen.

4. What is the significance of the double-slit experiment with light?

The significance of the double-slit experiment with light lies in its ability to show the dual nature of light. This experiment helped to support the wave theory of light, which was proposed by Thomas Young, and also played a role in the development of quantum mechanics.

5. Can the double-slit experiment with light be replicated with other types of particles?

Yes, the double-slit experiment can be replicated with other types of particles, such as electrons or even large molecules. This further supports the concept of wave-particle duality, as it shows that all particles can exhibit wave-like behavior under certain conditions.

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