Young's Single Slit experiment.

In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation for determining the distance between minima in Young's Single slit experiment. The wavelength (lambda) and width (a) must be expressed in the same units, and it is recommended to convert everything to meters for accuracy. The calculation for determining the distance between minima is sin[theta]= lambda/a.
  • #1
stryker123
11
0
for those of you that are familiar with Young's Single slit experiment, I am having trouble determining how far apart the minima are. The problem is as follows: one shines a laser with wavelength lambda=650nm through a single slit of width a=.04mm onto a screen 10m away. How far apart are the minima? I know that sin[theta]= lambda/a. However, does "a" have to be in meters? nanometers? or millimeters?
 
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  • #2
lambda and a must be expressed in the same units, so that the ratio will make sense. But in this case it doesn't really matter if it's nm, mm or m, since the ratio will come out the same no matter what. But I would say it is best to convert everything to meters, so you don't forget somewhere along the line when it does matter.

Can you show your calculation?
 

1. What is Young's Single Slit experiment?

The Young's Single Slit experiment is an optical experiment that demonstrates the phenomenon of interference, which occurs when two or more waves overlap and interact with each other. It involves passing a narrow beam of light through a single slit and observing the resulting interference pattern on a screen.

2. What is the purpose of Young's Single Slit experiment?

The purpose of Young's Single Slit experiment is to demonstrate the wave nature of light and the principles of interference. It also helps to confirm the wave theory of light, which states that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can exhibit wave-like properties.

3. How does Young's Single Slit experiment work?

In the experiment, a narrow beam of light is passed through a single slit, creating a diffraction pattern. The light waves passing through the slit diffract and interfere with each other, creating an interference pattern on a screen placed behind the slit. This pattern consists of bright and dark fringes, with the bright fringes corresponding to constructive interference and the dark fringes corresponding to destructive interference.

4. What factors affect the interference pattern in Young's Single Slit experiment?

The interference pattern in Young's Single Slit experiment is affected by several factors, including the wavelength of the light, the width of the slit, and the distance between the slit and the screen. The interference pattern becomes more pronounced with a shorter wavelength, a narrower slit, and a longer distance between the slit and the screen.

5. What are the applications of Young's Single Slit experiment?

The Young's Single Slit experiment has many practical applications, including in the study of optics, the design of diffraction gratings for use in spectroscopy, and the development of optical devices such as cameras and telescopes. It also helps scientists to better understand the nature of light and the principles of interference.

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