Incandescent Light Double Slit Experiment -Will Interference Occur?

  • Thread starter Thread starter josephcollins
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Light
AI Thread Summary
In a double slit experiment using incandescent lamps, interference patterns are unlikely to be observed due to the non-monochromatic nature of the light emitted. The constantly changing direction of the light field complicates the relative phase needed for consistent interference. While the wavelength of incandescent light is not the primary issue, the lack of polarization and the mixture of different frequencies contribute to the absence of a clear interference pattern. Any potential patterns from varying frequencies would likely overlap, rendering them invisible. Therefore, using a single light source is recommended for observing distinct interference patterns.
josephcollins
Messages
59
Reaction score
0
hi ppl,
I was wondering. In a double slit experiment, we fire light rays through two slits using two incandescent lamps. Would the interference phenomenon be observed? I thought no, is it to do with the wavelength of incandescent light being outside the spectrum? Could someone help with this problem, thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It would hard to get an interference pattern because the direction of the field would be changing constantly. The relative phase must be same hence it only works with 1 lamp.

As far as I know its nothing to do with the wavelength, just the fact that the field is not polarised.
 
Well, there's also the fact that light from an incandescent lamp is not monochromatic. You might get interference patterns from various different frequencies, but I expect they'd overlap to such an extent that they'd be invisible.
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

HW Question regarding double-slit interference
Replies
8
Views
2K
Second bright fringe in Young's Experiment
Replies
3
Views
1K
Diffraction pattern from a grating
Replies
3
Views
837
Thomas Young's double slit experiment
Replies
6
Views
4K
I Double-dark Slit Interference Pattern?
Replies
15
Views
1K
B Purity of Interference Pattern in a Classical Double-slit Experiment
Replies
23
Views
2K
Double slit experiment with a glass-covered slit of unknown n
Replies
3
Views
6K
Young's double slit-halving amplitude?
Replies
1
Views
2K
I Why is there no single slit interference when one slit is closed in a double slit experiment?
2
Replies
55
Views
5K
Hair/wire laser diffraction interference pattern
Replies
5
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top