How is the double slit pattern different from that of the single slit? Are the locations of the minima of the single slit still present in the pattern of the double slit? Why do you think this is so?
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In a single slit experiment, light passes through one narrow slit, while in a double slit experiment, light passes through two closely spaced slits. Show more…
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Why do maxima (bright spots) and minima (dark areas) appear when light is passed through the slits? Why don’t we observe just two bright spots on the wall separated by the same distance as the slits?
Adi S.
How would the pattern in the second question be different if instead of one slit, there were two slits, each 0.02 mm wide, separated by 0.2 mm? Again, assume that the slits are vertical. Answer: The pattern looks the same, just brighter because the light is coming from two slits instead of one. You would see lots of little lines within each of the bigger lines you see with one slit. The lines that you see with one slit would be small lines within the thicker ones that appear with two slits. You would see the one-slit pattern appearing twice, separated by a little distance. How would the pattern in the last question be different if instead of one slit, there were two slits, each 0.02 mm wide, separated by 0.4 mm (instead of 0.2 mm)? Again, assume that the slits are vertical. Answer: The thinnest lines would be twice as far apart, so there are fewer of them in each big one. The thinnest lines would be half the distance apart, so there are more of them in each big envelope. Nothing changes: the same amount of light comes through the slits. The big envelope becomes narrower, so that fewer of the small lines fit within it. The big envelope becomes wider, so that more of the small lines fit within it.
Frank D.
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