Understanding the Phases in the Double-Slit Experiment

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the double-slit experiment, emphasizing the necessity of using phasors to analyze wave interference. A participant received feedback indicating that their answer of 3 E0 was physically impossible, highlighting a fundamental misunderstanding of wave phases. The key takeaway is the importance of recognizing phase differences in wave arrival at the observation screen, which is crucial for accurately solving problems related to this experiment.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave interference principles
  • Familiarity with phasor representation in physics
  • Knowledge of the double-slit experiment setup
  • Basic concepts of wave phase and amplitude
NEXT STEPS
  • Study phasor analysis techniques in wave mechanics
  • Research the mathematical formulation of the double-slit experiment
  • Explore the implications of wave phase differences on interference patterns
  • Review experimental setups and results of the double-slit experiment
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, educators teaching wave mechanics, and anyone interested in the foundational concepts of quantum mechanics and wave behavior.

I Am Robot
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
1. Homework Statement and all the rest
Untitled.jpg





This is from a take home exam we already had graded. Professor does not mark our papers or review and we have no tutors. :(

Can someone point where I went wrong? The blues are the few markings he made that I went over again and the orange just seperates.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sorry, but it's not so much a matter of where you went wrong; you never even got started. First, you didn't do the problem the way you were ask to, using phasors. Second, the answer you got, 3 E0, is physically impossible, and you should have recognized this. Finally, it's pretty clear you don't understand the basic concepts behind the double-slit experiment.

Start by answering the question: Why do the waves from the two slits arrive at a point on the screen with different phases?
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.jpg
    Untitled.jpg
    69.5 KB · Views: 458

Similar threads

Help! Confused on Ray Diagram for Exam Question
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Yet another double slit thought experiment...
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Calculating the angle of a double-slit experiment
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K
High School Double slit experiment combined with Stern-Gerlach
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Does Mica Affect Fringe Shift in Young's Double-Slit Experiment?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
Undergrad Double slit experiment with observer
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Phase difference between waves in two-slit model
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
9K
Undergrad The double-slit experiment with a pit in the screen
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
4K
Diffraction gratings and young's double slit experiment
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Undergrad "Wave-particle duality" and double-slit experiment
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
9K