Young's Experiment - (problem with equation)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the equation for Young's double slit experiment, specifically the expression for calculating wavelength, λ = d sin θ / m, where d is the distance between slits, θ is the angle, and m is the order of the maxima. The confusion arises regarding the validity of this equation when m = 0, as it implies θ must also equal 0. It is established that the first maximum occurs at 0 degrees, making it impossible to determine the wavelength solely from the position of the central maximum.

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FrogPad
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So my book has the following expression for Young's double slit experiment.

(maxima - bright fringes) [itex]d \sin \theta = m \lambda[/itex]
for [itex]m = 0, \, 1 \, 2 \, \ldots[/itex].So what if you solve this for wavelength.

[tex]\lambda = \frac{d \sin \theta}{m}[/tex]

How is this valid when [itex]m = 0[/itex]

Is this because if [itex]m = 0[/itex], [itex]\theta[/itex] HAS to equal 0?

by the way
d is the distance between the slits
theta is the angle from the central axis
lambda is the wavelength
m is the index of where the maxima occur
 
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FrogPad said:
So my book has the following expression for Young's double slit experiment.

(maxima - bright fringes) [itex]d \sin \theta = m \lambda[/itex]
for [itex]m = 0, \, 1 \, 2 \, \ldots[/itex].So what if you solve this for wavelength.

[tex]\lambda = \frac{d \sin \theta}{m}[/tex]

How is this valid when [itex]m = 0[/itex]

Is this because if [itex]m = 0[/itex], [itex]\theta[/itex] HAS to equal 0?
The first maximum is always at 0 angle regardless of wavelength. So you can't determine the wavelength from the position of the central maximum.

AM
 

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