Why Is the Angle 5.6° in Young's Double Slit Experiment?

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SUMMARY

The angle subtended by the 15 bright fringes in Young's double slit experiment is 5.6°, confirmed as option B. The experiment utilizes a monochromatic light source with a wavelength of 700nm and a slit separation of 0.1mm. The calculation involves using the formula λ = y • d / (m • L) to determine the fringe separation and applying the tangent function to find the angle. The correct interpretation of the angle subtended requires multiplying the calculated angle by two to account for both sides of the central maximum.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Young's double slit experiment
  • Familiarity with wave optics concepts
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions, particularly tangent
  • Ability to manipulate equations involving wavelength, slit separation, and fringe order
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the formula λ = y • d / (m • L) in detail
  • Learn about fringe patterns and their significance in wave interference
  • Explore the impact of varying slit separation on fringe spacing
  • Investigate the effects of different wavelengths on the angle of diffraction
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on wave optics and interference patterns, as well as educators seeking to explain the principles of Young's double slit experiment.

libbytam
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Homework Statement


In a Young's double slits experiment, a monochromatic light source of wavelength 700nm is used and the separation of the slits is 0.1mm. If 15 bright fringes are observed, what is the angle subtended by those fringes at the centre of the double slit?
A. 6.0°
B. 5.6°
C. 5.2°
D. 4.8°

the correct answer is B, but why..??

Homework Equations


λ = y • d / (m • L)

3. The Attempt at a Solution

λ = 7 x 10^-7 m
y = fringe separation = ?
d = slit separation = 1 x 10^-4 m
m = order value = 15
L = distance from slit to screen = ?

I've drawn a triangle which represents the double slit experiment and I know the final step will be using tan Θ. There'll be only 7 bright fringes on the one side so m = 7 (not sure if it's correct or not...)
However, I've tried to get the equation with two unknowns (y and L).
I got: (7 x 10^-7) = (y)(1 x 10^-4) / (7)L
(4.9 x 10^-6)L = (1 x 10^-4)y
as tanΘ = y/L = (4.9 x 10^-6)/(1 x 10^-4) = 0.049
Θ = 2.81° (correct to 3 sig. fig.)

...which is obviously not the correct answer... so if it's multiplied by 2 , Θ = 2.81 x 2 = 5.62, which is answer B!?

Is there a better way? Can someone please help me out?
 
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The angle subtended means the angle formed between the 7th fringes on both sides and the center of the slit, so, multiplying by two is indeed the correct way.
 
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