In the two-slit interference experiment, how can we determine where a point P on the screen is in the diffraction pattern by giving the maximum or minimum on which it lies or the maximum and minimum between which it lies. Given that the slit widths are each a, their separation is d, the wavelength is λ, the viewing screen is at a distance D and the distance between P and the central maxima is y.I am not sure if we use the formula a s i n θ = m λ to calculate m, since I don't know whether this formula can be used in double slit diffraction. Or we should use another method to find out whether P is the maximum/minimum?

Question

In the two-slit interference experiment, how can we determine where a point P on the screen is in the diffraction pattern by giving the maximum or minimum on which it lies or the maximum and minimum between which it lies. Given that the slit widths are each a, their separation is d, the wavelength is   λ, the viewing screen is at a distance D and the distance between P and the central maxima is y.I am not sure if we use the formula   a  s  i  n  θ  =  m  λ to calculate m, since I don&#039;t know whether this formula can be used in double slit diffraction. Or we should use another method to find out whether P is the maximum/minimum?

devilvunga · Accepted Answer

For Young&#039;s Double Slit Experiment the       n          t      h       order maxima is given by      Y          n        =            n      λ      D        d  where D is the distance to the viewing screen and d the spacing between the two slits.For the       n          t      h       order minima we use      Y          n        =            (      2      n      −      1      )      λ      D              2      d

Answered question

Answer & Explanation

New Questions in Light and Optics