Chapter 34: Problem 5
(II) If 720 -nm and 660 -nm light passes through two slits \(0.68 \mathrm{~mm}\) apart, how far apart are the second-order fringes for these two wavelengths on a screen \(1.0 \mathrm{~m}\) away?
Short Answer
Expert verified
The second-order fringes are approximately 0.18 mm apart.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Problem Context
This problem involves a double-slit interference experiment, where light of different wavelengths creates interference patterns on a screen. We need to find the distance between the second-order fringes produced by two wavelengths—720 nm and 660 nm.
02
Identify Relevant Formula
The position of fringes is given by the formula: \( y = \frac{m \cdot \lambda \cdot L}{d} \), where \( y \) is the fringe position, \( m \) is the order number, \( \lambda \) is the wavelength, \( L \) is the distance to the screen, and \( d \) is the distance between slits.
03
Plug in Values for 720 nm Fringe
For the 720 nm wavelength and the second-order fringe (\( m=2 \)), plug into the formula: \( y_{720} = \frac{2 \cdot 720 \times 10^{-9} \cdot 1.0}{0.68 \times 10^{-3}} \). Calculate \( y_{720} \).
04
Calculate 720 nm Fringe Position
Doing the calculations: \[ y_{720} = \frac{2 \cdot 720 \times 10^{-9} \cdot 1.0}{0.68 \times 10^{-3}} = \frac{1.44 \times 10^{-6}}{0.68 \times 10^{-3}} \approx 2.12 \times 10^{-3} \text{ m} \].
05
Plug in Values for 660 nm Fringe
For the 660 nm wavelength and the second-order fringe, use: \( y_{660} = \frac{2 \cdot 660 \times 10^{-9} \cdot 1.0}{0.68 \times 10^{-3}} \). Calculate \( y_{660} \).
06
Calculate 660 nm Fringe Position
Performing the calculations: \[ y_{660} = \frac{2 \cdot 660 \times 10^{-9} \cdot 1.0}{0.68 \times 10^{-3}} = \frac{1.32 \times 10^{-6}}{0.68 \times 10^{-3}} \approx 1.94 \times 10^{-3} \text{ m} \].
07
Find Distance Between Fringes
The distance between the second-order fringes is \( y_{720} - y_{660} \). This calculates to \( 2.12 \times 10^{-3} - 1.94 \times 10^{-3} \approx 0.18 \times 10^{-3} \text{ m} \) or 0.18 mm.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Wavelength in Double-Slit Interference
In a double-slit interference experiment, light waves are characterized by their wavelength, which is the distance between consecutive peaks of the wave. Wavelength, denoted by \( \lambda \), plays a crucial role in determining the interference pattern formed on a screen. When light passes through the slits, it bends and overlaps with waves from the other slit, creating an interference pattern of bright and dark fringes. Key factors about wavelength include:
- Wavelength is typically measured in nanometers (nm) when dealing with light, where 1 nm equals \( 10^{-9} \) meters.
- The different wavelengths of light will lead to different positions of the interference fringes.
- Longer wavelengths will cause the fringes to be spaced further apart on the screen.
Fringe Position Calculation
The fringe position in a double-slit experiment refers to where these bright or dark lines appear on a viewing screen. This is calculated via the formula:\[ y = \frac{m \cdot \lambda \cdot L}{d} \]Here:
- \( y \) is the fringe position, or how far the fringe is from the central bright line.
- \( m \) is the order number, which tells us which bright or dark line we are measuring for.
- \( \lambda \) is the wavelength of the light in question.
- \( L \) is the distance from the slits to the screen.
- \( d \) is the spacing between the slits.
Understanding Order Number
The order number, represented by the symbol \( m \), is a critical variable in the context of wave interference patterns. It refers to the sequence of the fringe from the central bright fringe, which is known as the zeroth-order fringe. Here's more about the order number:
- The central bright fringe is \( m = 0 \), and this is where the path difference between the two slits is zero.
- First-order fringes (\( m = 1 \)) are those immediately adjacent to the central fringe, second-order (\( m = 2 \)) follow those, and so on.
- In the double-slit experiment, each order represents a multiple of the wavelength overlap, leading to constructive interference that reinforces brightness at that fringe location.