Question

In Young's double-slit experiment, the two slits are separated by a distance equal to 100 times the wavelength of light that passes through the slits. Calculate : (1) the angular separation in radians between the central maximum and the adjacent maximum. (2) the distance between these two maxima on a screen 50 cm from the slits.

In a Young's double-slit experiment, the screen is moved away from the plane of the slits. What will be its effect on the following ? (i) Angular separation of the fringes. (ii) Fringe-width.

The British physicist Thomas Young explained the interference of light using the principle of superposition of waves. He observed the interference pattern on the screen, in his experimental set-up, known now as Young's double slit experiment. The two slits S₁ and S₂ were illuminated by light from a slit S. The interference pattern consists of dark and bright bands of light. Such bands are called fringes. The distance between two consecutive bright and dark fringes is called fringe width.

In a Young's double slit experiment using light of wavelength 600 nm, the slit separation is 0.8 mm and the screen is kept 1.6 m from the plane of the slits. Calculate: