- #1
onqun
- 12
- 0
Hello guys, I need desperate help. I am googling an simple experiment that can observe interference patterns ? can someone help me out please?
How to observe interference patterns with a simple experiment?
- Context: High School
- Thread starter onqun
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around methods to observe interference patterns through simple experiments. Participants explore various experimental setups, focusing on practical approaches and materials needed for such observations.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Experimental/applied
Main Points Raised
- One participant suggests the double-slit experiment as a foundational method for observing interference patterns.
- Another participant inquires about the possibility of observing interference patterns using diffusion.
- A participant shares a personal experiment using a visible laser and razor blades to create an interference pattern, emphasizing safety precautions.
- Another participant describes an easy method involving a padlock and mentions the effectiveness of using a laser pointer in a dark room for various interference experiments.
- Single slit diffraction is mentioned as an alternative method, though it may require understanding of more complex calculations.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants present multiple methods and ideas for observing interference patterns, indicating a variety of approaches without a consensus on a single best method.
Contextual Notes
Some methods depend on specific conditions, such as the need for a dark room or the use of particular materials like lasers and razor blades. The effectiveness of different setups may vary based on the participant's understanding of the underlying physics.
Who May Find This Useful
Individuals interested in experimental physics, students looking for hands-on activities, or anyone curious about observing light interference patterns.
- #2
Matterwave
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Gold Member
- 3,971
- 329
The double-slit experiment is the best known...and is the basic building block of interference experiments.
- #3
onqun
- 12
- 0
Hello, is it possible to observe that with a diffusion ?
- #4
Antiphon
- 1,685
- 4
I did this for fun in the fall. You need a visible laser, a couple of box cutter type razor blades and a dark room at least 10 feet long. (please please please be careful. I'm talking about razor blades in a dark room. The laser is less dangerous than the razor.)
Tape the two edges of the blades together so the sharp edges face each other with a very tiny gap, maybe 1/10th of a millimeter.
You shine the laser through the gap and you will get an interference pattern (vertical light and dark) areas on the wall. The smaller the gap in the blades, the wider the spacing in the pattern. You can also use a single blade edge but the patterns are harder to see.
Don't look into the beam and don't walk around in the dark holding the razor blades.
Tape the two edges of the blades together so the sharp edges face each other with a very tiny gap, maybe 1/10th of a millimeter.
You shine the laser through the gap and you will get an interference pattern (vertical light and dark) areas on the wall. The smaller the gap in the blades, the wider the spacing in the pattern. You can also use a single blade edge but the patterns are harder to see.
Don't look into the beam and don't walk around in the dark holding the razor blades.
- #5
jeblack3
- 22
- 0
Here's a very easy method:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.sci.physics/msg/a53fbd5a66f9ba15
Below is some pictures I have of doing it with a padlock. The shackles on the padlock work nicely if you want to do precise measurements because they come pre-aligned. But you can get it to work even with Coke cans.
The classic double-slit experiment is also easy. You can also see some impressive ring-shaped interference patterns by reflecting a laser pointer off a slightly dirty mirror.
The key component in these experiments is the laser pointer. (That and a dark room. Don't expect to be able to see much with the lights on.) Go out and buy one; they're cheap.
One easy one you can do without a laser pointer is single slit diffraction. Just make a thin gap between two fingers and look at a distant street light through them. The disadvantage there is that you might not understand what's going on unless you know how to calculate a single-slit diffraction pattern, which is a bit more complicated than the double-slit case.
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.sci.physics/msg/a53fbd5a66f9ba15
Below is some pictures I have of doing it with a padlock. The shackles on the padlock work nicely if you want to do precise measurements because they come pre-aligned. But you can get it to work even with Coke cans.
The classic double-slit experiment is also easy. You can also see some impressive ring-shaped interference patterns by reflecting a laser pointer off a slightly dirty mirror.
The key component in these experiments is the laser pointer. (That and a dark room. Don't expect to be able to see much with the lights on.) Go out and buy one; they're cheap.
One easy one you can do without a laser pointer is single slit diffraction. Just make a thin gap between two fingers and look at a distant street light through them. The disadvantage there is that you might not understand what's going on unless you know how to calculate a single-slit diffraction pattern, which is a bit more complicated than the double-slit case.
Attachments
Last edited:
Similar threads
- · Replies 28 ·
- · Replies 60 ·
Undergrad
Double slit experiment with observer
- · Replies 14 ·
- · Replies 23 ·
- · Replies 65 ·
- · Replies 2 ·
- · Replies 10 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 1 ·
Undergrad
A question about density matricies
- · Replies 7 ·