Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 5: Q9DQ (page 1180)

Coherent light with wavelength λfalls on two narrow slits separated by a distance d. If dis less than some minimum value, no dark fringes are observed. Explain. In terms of λ, what is this minimum value of d?

Short Answer

Expert verified

In terms ofλ, ifd<<λ, then no interference will take place.

Step by step solution

01

Define the principle of superposition.

The principle of superposition states:

For a particular wavelength and constant distance between slits and screen, the fringe width is inversely proportional to the distance between two slits. Thus smaller the separation, the larger the fringe width.

02

Determine if λ>>d whether there is interference or not.

Whend<<λ, the waves of light will become almost parallel and will have the same phase at each point. That will create a single slit situation.

Hence, ifd<<λ, then there is no interference.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

On December 26, 2004, a violent earthquake of magnitude 9.1 occurred off the coast of Sumatra. This quake triggered a huge tsunami (similar to a tidal wave) that killed more than 150,000 people. Scientists observing the wave on the open ocean measured the time between crests to be 1.0 h and the speed of the wave to be 800 km>h. Computer models of the evolution of this enormous wave showed that it bent around the continents and spread to all the oceans of the earth. When the wave reached the gaps between continents, it diffracted between them as through a slit.

(a) What was the wavelength of this tsunami?

(b) The distance between the southern tip of Africa and northern Antarctica is about 4500 km, while the distance between the southern end of Australia and Antarctica is about 3700 km. As an approximation, we can model this wave’s behavior by using Fraunhofer diffraction. Find the smallest angle away from the central maximum for which the waves would cancel after going through each of these continental gaps.

A spherical air bubble in water can function as a lens. Is it a converging or diverging lens? How is its focal length related to its radius?

A glass windowpane with a thin film of water on it reflects less than when it is perfectly dry. Why

Monochromatic light is directed at normal incidence on a thin film. There is destructive interference for the reflected light, so the intensity of the reflected light is very low. What happened to the energy of the incident light?

In a diffraction experiment with waves of wavelength λ,there will be no intensity minima (that is, no dark fringes) if the slit width is small enough. What is the maximum slit width for which this occurs? Explain your answer.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Turning Points in Physics

Read Explanation

Space Physics

Read Explanation

Astrophysics

Read Explanation

Physical Quantities And Units

Read Explanation

Electric Charge Field and Potential

Read Explanation

Linear Momentum

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free