How Does Light Wave Interference Reveal the Width of a Spider Web?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on measuring the width of a spider web strand using light wave interference from a 650nm laser. When illuminated, the strand, which is 65 μm wide and positioned 2 meters from a wall, creates an interference pattern due to the diffraction of light around its edges. The resulting pattern consists of bright spots, or maxima, at specific intervals, which can be calculated based on the strand's dimensions and the distance to the projection surface. The thread's opacity results in a shadow, with light paths diffracting into this shadow, leading to interference effects. Understanding these principles allows for accurate representation and measurement of the spider web's width through the observed pattern.
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Hello, I need help with a light wave interference question.

Q: Imagine you are trying to measure the width of a single strand of spider web. You have fastened the web to the slide horizontally. You illuminate the strand with a 650nm laser and project the resulting interference pattern onto the wall where you have fastened a piece of paper. Given that the strand is
65 μm wide and is located 2 meters from the wall, draw the resulting interference pattern you would see in. Draw the pattern to scale in the correct orientation. Include only the m=-2, -1, 0, 1, 2 maxima (bright spots). Indicate the distance between each adjacent maximum.

Usually I would say what I know and how I would approach this problem, but for this one I really am at a lost. Any help is greatly appreciated
 
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The spider web thread is opaque; it will cast a shadow.
Outside the edges of the thread are paths that diffract into the shadow.
They each have a path length from thread to screen (like single-slit)
the path Length difference (L_top - L_bottom) causes interference.
 
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