Chapter 9: Problem 12
A \(3 \times 5\) card containing two pinholes, \(0.08 \mathrm{mm}\) in diameter and separated center to center by \(0.10 \mathrm{mm}\), is illuminated by parallel rays of blue light from an argon ion laser \(\left(\lambda_{0}=487.99 \mathrm{nm}\right) .\) If the fringes on an observing screen are to be \(10 \mathrm{mm}\) apart, how far away should the screen be?
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Conditions for Interference
Recall the Fringe Separation Formula
Rearrange the Formula to Solve for L
Plug in the Values
Calculate L
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Interference Pattern
- If the peaks (crests) of two waves align, they add together in a process called constructive interference. This results in bright spots on the observing screen, or bright fringes.
- If a peak of one wave aligns with the trough of another, they cancel each other out in destructive interference, creating dark areas or dark fringes.
Fringe Separation
When expressed as \[ y = \frac{\lambda L}{d} \], this formula shows that the fringe separation (\( y \)) increases when:
- The wavelength of the light is longer.
- The distance from the pinholes to the observing screen is greater.
- The distance between the pinholes is smaller.
Argon Ion Laser
- They are widely used in laboratory settings due to their reliability and precision.
- The specific wavelength mentioned in this exercise, \( 487.99 \text{ nm} \), allows precise measurements and calculations.
- An argon ion laser is highly efficient in producing monochromatic light, crucial for observing clear interference patterns without overlapping spectra of different colors.
Wavelength of Light
- Shorter wavelengths, like the \( 487.99 \text{ nm} \) in this exercise, are associated with higher energies and blue light.
- The wavelength impacts the spacing of the interference fringes; longer wavelengths result in wider fringe separations.
- Knowing the precise wavelength is necessary for calculating other important variables, such as the distance to the observing screen or fringe separation.