Intensity in Young's double slit experiment problem.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem related to Young's double slit experiment, specifically involving the intensity of light from two slits with differing widths. The original poster seeks guidance on how to approach the problem, which involves calculating the resultant intensity based on the intensity from each slit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions the appropriate formula to use for calculating intensity, suggesting a possible starting point with I=4Inaught.[cos(phi/2)^2]. Other participants discuss the need to find the total amplitude of the electric fields and the resulting irradiance, while one participant proposes the use of the Cosine rule.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants offering potential approaches and others expressing uncertainty about the methods suggested. There is no explicit consensus on the best way to proceed, but various interpretations and ideas are being explored.

Contextual Notes

The problem is framed within the constraints of a homework assignment, and participants are navigating the assumptions related to the setup of the experiment and the properties of the slits.

IrAlien
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Hello all, I have a problem that requires some knowledge about Young's double slit experiment.

The question is as follows:
Imagine performing Young's experiment with one slit wider than the other so that the intensity passing the wider slit is four times as great as that passing the narrower slit. Assume both slits are still 'thin' and act as line sources and show that I = Inaught.(5+4cos(phi))

I do not know where to start... can anyone give me some tips?

Do I use I=4Inaught.[cos(phi/2)^2] ??

Thanks,
Levi
 
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You have two sources of electromagnetic waves on a plane. The sources are separated by a given distance. They travel through a given distance through space and illuminate second plane.

What you need to do is find the total amplitude of the two electric fields on the illuminated plane, and then find the irradiance.
 
Ok thank you for the help. I _think_ I've got it.

Levi
 
ummm..cant you use Cosine rule to solve this??
 
I'm not sure.

I probably wouldn't use it, but it might be useful.
 
Last edited:

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