Lecture Sheet27 Optes

Young's double slit experiment

In 1802, Young demonstrated the experiment on the interference of light. He allowed sunlight
to fall on apinhole Sand then at some distance away on two pinholes Aand B. (Fig. 1.)
A and B are equidistant from S and are close to each other. Spherical waves spread out from
S. Spherical waves also spread out from Aand B. These waves are of the same amplitude and
wavelength. On the screen interference bands are produced which are alternatively dark and
bright. The points E are bright because the crest due to one wave coincides with the crest due
to the other and therefore they reinforce with each other. The points F are dark because the
crest of one falls on the trough of the other and they neutralize the effect of each other.
Points similar to E, where the trough of one falls on the trough on the other, are also bright
because the two waves reinforce.

CRESTS
TROUGHS
SCAEEN

Fig. 1.
Theory of interference fringes
Consider anarrow monochromatic source S and two pinholes A and B, equidistant from S. A
and B act as two coherent sources separated by a distance d. Let a screen be placed at a
distance Dfrom the coherent sources. The point C on the screen is equidistant from A andB.
Therefore, the path difference between the two waves is zero. Thus, the point C has
maximum intensity.

FRINGE
WIOTH
DARK
BRIGHT

Fig. 2.
Consider a point P at a distance xfrom C. The waves reach at the point P from A andB. Here,
d d
PQ = X PR = X t

Md. Tarikal Nasir, Assistant Professor (Physics), Dept. of Arts &

Sciences, BAUST Page: 1
Lechure Sheet27
Opties

(BP)²- (AP)' =
(BP)² - (AP)² = 2d
2xd
BP - AP=
BP + AP
But BP = AP= D (Approximately)
2xd xd
Path difference = BP - AP= 2D =
D (1)

Phase difference = (2)

) Bright fringes: If the path difference is a whole number multiple of wavelength . the
point P is bright.
xd
D
=nd where n=0,1, 2, 3, ... ...
naD
X=
d (3)
This equation gives the distances of the bright fringes from the point C. At C, the path
difference is zero and a bright fringe is formed.
AD
When n =1
d
22D
n=2
d

3AD
n=3 X3 =
d

naD
d
(4)
Therefore, the distance between any two consecutive bright fringes
22D AD AD
dd d
(ii) Dark fringes: If the path difference is an odd number multiple of half-wavelength à, the
point P is dark.
xd
D =(2n +1); where n=0,1, 2, 3, .. ..

(2n + 1)AD
X=
2d (5)

This equation gives the distances of the dark fringes from the pointC.

Md. Tarikal Nasir, Assistant Professor (Physics), Dept. of Arts& Sciences, BAUST Page: 2
Lectre Sheet-2 7
Opties

AD
When n=0
2d
32D
n =1
X12d 52D
n= 2
2d

(2n + 1)AD (6)

2d
Therefore, the distance between any two consecutive dark fringes
5AD 3AD AD
2d 2d d
as fringe width.
The distance beween any two consecutive bright and dark fringes is known
Therefore, alternately bright and dark parallel fringes are formed. The fringes are formed on
both sides of C. Moreover, it is clear that the width of the bright fringe is equal to the width
of the
of the dark fringe. AIl the fringes are equal in width and are independent of the order
fringe.
The fringe width
AD
B= d
Therefore, the width of the fringe:
(i) isdirectly proportional to the wavelength of light,
(ii) is directly proportional to the distance of the screen from the two sources,
(iii)is inversely proportional to the distance between the two sources.
Thus, the width of the fringe increases (a) with increase in wavelength (b) with increase in
the distance D and (c) by bringing the two sources A and B close to each other.
Mathematical Problems
Problem-l: Calculate the fringe width of interference pattern produced in Yong's double
slit experiment with two slit 10 mapart on a screen I maway.
Solution: We know, fringe width Here,
AD
d =1 xX 10-3 m
d
5893 x 10-10 x1 D=1m
B= d=5893 x 1010 m
1x 10-3
B= 5893 x 10 ' m B=?

B = 0.05893 cm (Ans)
Problem-2: Green light of wavelength 5100 Afrom a narrow sliu is incidenton adouble sliu.
fthe fringe spacing on ascreen 2 m away is 2 mm, find the separation of the slits.
Solution: Doyourself. (Ans: d= 0.051 cm)

Md Tarikal Nasir, Assistant Professor (Physics), Dept. of Arts &Sciences, BAUST Page: 3
Lectre Sheet-27 Optics

fringe
Problem-3: In Young 's double slit experiment the separation of the slit 1.9mnm and
spacing is 0.31 mm at a distance of l mfromthe slit. Calculate the wavelength of light.
Solution: We know, fringe width
Here,
AD
B= d d= 1.9 mm = 0.19 cm

Bd B= 0.31 mm = 0.031 cm
D
D=1m = 100 cm
0.031 x 0.19
d=?
100

= 5.89 x 10- cm
2= 5890 Å
(Ans)
Problem-4: In Young's double slit experiment the separation of the slit 2 mm and fringe
spacing is 0.21mm atadistance ofl mfrom the slit. Calculate the wavelength of light.
Solution: We know, fringe width
AD
Here,
B= d d= 2 mm = 0.2 cm
Bd B= 0.21 mm = 0.021 cm
D
D=1m = 100 cm
0.021 x 0.2
=?
100

2= 4.2x 10-5cm
A= 4200 ¢ Ans)
Problem-5: Light wavelength of 5500 Åfrom a slit is incident on a double slit. The overall
separation of 5fringes on a screen 200 cm away is l cm. Calculate slit separation and the
fringe width.
Solution: We know, distance of the n'hfringe
naD Here,
X=
n=5
naD x = 1Cm
d =
A= 5500 Å= 5500 x 10- cm
5x5500 x 10-x 200
d=
1 D= 200 cm
d = 0.055 cm (Ans) d=?

Fringe width B=

= 0.2 cn (Ans)

Md. Tarikal Nasir, Assistant Professor (Physics), Dept. ofArts & Sciences, BAUST
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