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Question
In Young's double slit experiment, derive the condition for
(i) constructive interference and
(ii) destructive interference at a point on the screen.
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Solution
Young’s double slit experiment: Consider two narrow rectangular slits S1 and S2 placed perpendicular to the plane of paper. Slit S is placed on the perpendicular bisector of S1S2 and is illuminated with monochromatic light.
The slits are separated by a small distance d. A screen is placed at a distance D from S1, S2.
Consider a point P on the screen at distance x from O.
The path difference between the waves reaching P from S1 and S2 is:
P = S2P − S1P
Draw S1N perpendicular to S2P. Then,
P = S2P − S1P = S2P − NP = S2N
From right-angled
`DeltaS_1S^2N=(S_2N)/(S_2S_1) = sintheta`
`therefore P =S_2N=S_2S_1sintheta = d sintheta`
From ΔCOP,
When θ is small,
`sintheta≈theta≈tantheta = x/D`
`therefore P=(xd)/D`
For constructive interference,
`(xd)/D =nlambda,n=0,1,2,3,.....`
Position of nth bright fringe, `x_n = (nDlambda)/d =0,(Dlambda)/d,(2Dlambda)/d,(3Dlambda)/d,.......`
When n = 0, xn = 0, central bright fringe is formed at O.
For destructive interference,
`(xd)/D = (2n +1)lambda/2`
`or x_n = (2_n +1) (lambdaD)/(2d) = 1/2(lambdaD)/d,3/2(lambdaD)/d,5/2(lambdaD)/d,......`
Thus, alternate bright and dark fringes are formed on the screen.
RELATED QUESTIONS
In a double-slit experiment using the light of wavelength 600 nm, the angular width of the fringe formed on a distant screen is 0.1°. Find the spacing between the two slits.
What is the effect on the interference fringes to a Young’s double slit experiment when
(i) the separation between the two slits is decreased?
(ii) the width of a source slit is increased?
(iii) the monochromatic source is replaced by a source of white light?
Justify your answer in each case.
How does the fringe width get affected, if the entire experimental apparatus of Young is immersed in water?
Can we perform Young's double slit experiment with sound waves? To get a reasonable "fringe pattern", what should be the order of separation between the slits? How can the bright fringes and the dark fringes be detected in this case?
Consider the arrangement shown in the figure. By some mechanism, the separation between the slits S3 and S4 can be changed. The intensity is measured at the point P, which is at the common perpendicular bisector of S1S2 and S2S4. When \[z = \frac{D\lambda}{2d},\] the intensity measured at P is I. Find the intensity when z is equal to
(a) \[\frac{D\lambda}{d}\]
(b) \[\frac{3D\lambda}{2d}\] and
(c) \[\frac{2D\lambda}{d}\]
Draw a neat labelled diagram of Young’s Double Slit experiment. Show that `beta = (lambdaD)/d` , where the terms have their usual meanings (either for bright or dark fringe).
"If the slits in Young's double slit experiment are identical, then intensity at any point on the screen may vary between zero and four times to the intensity due to single slit".
Justify the above statement through a relevant mathematical expression.
In a Young's double slit experiment, the width of the one of the slit is three times the other slit. The amplitude of the light coming from a slit is proportional to the slit- width. Find the ratio of the maximum to the minimum intensity in the interference pattern.
The central fringe of the interference pattern produced by the light of wavelength 6000 Å is found to shift to the position of the fourth bright fringe after a glass plate of refractive index 1.5 is introduced in the path of one of the beams. The thickness of the glass plate would be ______.
In an interference experiment, a third bright fringe is obtained at a point on the screen with a light of 700 nm. What should be the wavelength of the light source in order to obtain the fifth bright fringe at the same point?
