Young's double slit experiment: Determine thickness of mica

AI Thread Summary
To determine the thickness of the mica sheet in Young's double slit experiment, the optical path difference must be calculated. The central maximum remains central for light with a wavelength of 539 nm, indicating that the optical path change due to the mica must equal an integral number of wavelengths. The optical path in air is simply the distance, while in mica, it is the thickness multiplied by the refractive index (n = 1.582). The discussion emphasizes the need to equate the optical path difference to an integer multiple of the wavelength to find the exact thickness of the mica sheet. Understanding these relationships is crucial for solving the problem effectively.
DriesBoon
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A sheet of mica ( approximate 6-7 µm) covers one slit
of a double-slit apparatus and has a n= 1.582. There is a central maximum of 539 nm. What is the exact thickness of the sheet of mica?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I think you can solve this with the number of wavelengths that go throug the sheet? But I'm a but stuck on the question.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to the forum.

It seems like the question is implying that the central peak is still central for light of wavelength 539 nm. So the change in optical path when putting the mica on one side is an integral number of wavelengths. The optical path in air (treated as n=1, the n of air is something like 1.0003) is just the distance. The optical path in the mica with n>1 is n * the distance.

Is that enough of a hint?
 
So, I need to find the opitcal path in the mica? Wich is n times the distance of air? I understand i correctly
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top