Thinnest film that will give constructive interference for red light

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the thickness of a soap film that produces constructive interference for red light, specifically at a wavelength of 752 nm and a refractive index of 1.33. The initial calculation by the poster resulted in an incorrect thickness of 424 nm, while the correct answer is 141 nm, derived from the equation t = λ/4n. Confusion arises regarding the phase change during reflection and the correct application of the interference equation. Clarifications indicate that the angle of incidence is zero, and the correct formulation involves adjusting the phase difference correctly. Understanding the phase change and using the right equation is crucial for solving the problem accurately.
prettykitty
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Homework Statement



When a thin soap film is very thin, we see it as black. How thick (in nm) is the film
in the region where we see the first red band? Take the wavelength of red light to be 752
nm and the index of refraction of the soap to be n = 1.33.

Homework Equations



[2nt/λ] - 1/2 = m


The Attempt at a Solution



Solving for t:
First with m = 1 I moved the 1/2 over to get 3/2, Then I multiplied 3/2 by the wavelength 752e-9 and divided this result by 2n, n being 1.33.
The answer I attained after solving for t was: 424 nm.
The correct answer is 141 nm.

I still don't know what I'm doing wrong here. I have noticed that if I divide my answer by 3 I get the correct answer, though this may just be coincidence.
Also if anyone is using Walker edition 4, on page 988 the practice problem seems to be this exact same scenario and I am having the exact same problem.
Thanks!
 
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So then the desired equation is 2ndcosθ=(m-.5)λ?
How would I figure out the angle? I thought it was the right equation.

Here is my instructors answer:
If the thickness of the film is t, the difference in phase between a ray reflecting off the
top surface of the film and one reflecting off the bottom surface of the film is (2πn/λ)2t + π
the factor π coming from the phase change on reflection of the ray in air reflecting off
the film. Set this phase change to 2π for the first constructive interference to get that
t = λ/4n = 752/(4 × 1.33) = 141nm.

I don't really understand how he got his answer either even though it is spelled out quite succinctly.
 
prettykitty said:
So then the desired equation is 2ndcosθ=(m-.5)λ?
How would I figure out the angle? I thought it was the right equation.
It's the angle of incidence, so for the OP it's 0.
the difference in phase between a ray reflecting off the
top surface of the film and one reflecting off the bottom surface of the film is (2πn/λ)2t + π
the factor π coming from the phase change on reflection of the ray in air reflecting off
the film. Set this phase change to 2π for the first constructive interference to get that
t = λ/4n = 752/(4 × 1.33) = 141nm.
That's the same equation as I referenced. For the mth constructive interference phase, (2πn/λ)2t + π = 2πm. Rearranging: (2nt/λ) + 1/2 = m. You just had the sign wrong on the 1/2.
 
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