How Do You Calculate Interference Fringes in a Double Slit Experiment?

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SUMMARY

The calculation of interference fringes in a double slit experiment involves using the formula y = L(mλ/d). In this discussion, a laser beam with a wavelength of 694 nm is used, and the slits are 0.100 mm apart, with a screen distance of 5.00 m. The correct calculation yields a distance between adjacent bright fringes of 3.47 × 10–2 m, correcting the initial miscalculation of 34,700,000 m due to a unit error in wavelength conversion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave interference principles
  • Familiarity with the double slit experiment
  • Knowledge of unit conversions, specifically between nanometers and meters
  • Proficiency in basic algebra for manipulating equations
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  • Study the derivation of the interference fringe formula y = L(mλ/d)
  • Learn about the effects of slit separation on interference patterns
  • Explore the significance of wavelength in optical experiments
  • Investigate the impact of distance from slits to screen on fringe spacing
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Students in physics, educators teaching wave optics, and anyone interested in experimental physics and optical phenomena.

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Homework Statement



A laser beam ( λ = 694 nm) is incident on two slits 0.100 mm apart. Approximately how far apart (in m) will the bright interference fringes be on the screen 5.00 m from the double slits?

Homework Equations



y=L\left( \frac{m \lambda}{d} \right)

The Attempt at a Solution



y_{m+1}-y_m = L \left(\frac{(m+1)\lambda}{d} \right) - L \left( \frac{m \lambda}{d}\right)

= L\frac{\lambda}{d}= 5 \left( \frac{694}{1 \times 10^{-4} m} \right)

=34700000

So I got the distance between adjacent fringes to be 34700000 which is a very huge number. But the right answer must be 3.47 × 10–2. Any help is appreciated.
 
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For one thing, the wavelength is 694 nm, not 694 m. (nm = nanometer)
 

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