Double-Slit Experiment:Bright Fringe #s Practical & Theoretical

In summary, the number of bright fringes that can be formed in the double slit experiment is theoretically unlimited when using an infinitely thin slit. However, practical limitations such as the amount of transmitted power and the minimum aperture size will affect the maximum number of fringes that can be observed. Further research and calculations are needed to determine specific figures.
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what are the practical and theoretical no. of bright fringes that can be formed in the double slit experiment?
 
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Consider the case of an infinitely thin slit. The resulting diffraction pattern is a cosine squared pattern, thus there is no theoretical limit on the number of maxima you have, it is just a matter of making your aperture/wavelength ratio small enough to achieve a desired number of maxima.

There are, however practical limits. To illuminate the ideal cosine squared diffraction pattern for an infinitely thin slit, you have to contend with the fact that a) The slit is infinitely thin and thus only an infintesimal amount of light will pass through, and b) It would take an infinite amount of power to properly illuminate the pattern anyway.

In practise, the number of maxima you can observe depends on the upper limit of (transmitted power)*(wavelength), this will inturn determine the minimum aperture size and thus the maximum number of maxima you can observe. Obtaining actual figures will require a bit of research and a few elemantary calculations obviously.

Claude.
 
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The practical and theoretical number of bright fringes that can be formed in the double-slit experiment depends on several factors such as the distance between the two slits, the wavelength of the light used, and the distance between the slits and the screen.

Practically, the number of bright fringes that can be observed is limited by the resolution of the human eye or the detection capabilities of the equipment used. In most cases, only a few bright fringes can be observed before the intensity of the light decreases significantly.

Theoretically, the number of bright fringes that can be formed is infinite. This is because the interference pattern is a result of the superposition of an infinite number of waves from the two slits. However, as the distance from the center of the pattern increases, the intensity of the bright fringes decreases, making them harder to observe.

In general, the number of bright fringes that can be observed in the double-slit experiment is determined by the equation m = (dsinθ)/λ, where m is the order of the bright fringe, d is the distance between the slits, θ is the angle between the incident light and the line connecting the slits, and λ is the wavelength of the light. As the values for d, θ, and λ change, the number of bright fringes will also change.

In conclusion, the practical number of bright fringes that can be observed in the double-slit experiment is limited, while the theoretical number is infinite. This experiment continues to fascinate scientists and has been instrumental in understanding the wave nature of light.
 

1. What is the double-slit experiment?

The double-slit experiment is a classic experiment in quantum physics that demonstrates the wave-particle duality of light. It involves shining a beam of light through two parallel slits, which creates an interference pattern on a screen behind the slits. This pattern suggests that light behaves as both a wave and a particle.

2. What are bright fringes in the double-slit experiment?

Bright fringes are the areas of the interference pattern that appear brighter due to constructive interference. This means that the waves of light passing through the slits are in phase and reinforce each other, resulting in a brighter spot on the screen.

3. Why is the double-slit experiment important?

The double-slit experiment is important because it challenges our understanding of the fundamental nature of light and matter. It also has practical applications, such as in the development of technologies like lasers and photonic devices.

4. What do the numbers in the bright fringe pattern represent?

The numbers in the bright fringe pattern represent the intensity of light at different points on the screen. The higher the number, the brighter the spot on the screen.

5. How does the double-slit experiment relate to the practical and theoretical aspects of quantum physics?

The double-slit experiment is a fundamental demonstration of the principles of quantum physics, including the wave-particle duality of light. It has practical applications in technologies that rely on quantum mechanics, such as transistors and computer memory. The results of the experiment also have theoretical implications for our understanding of the quantum world and the nature of reality.

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