Double slit experiment distance

In summary, as the slit separation is cut in half, the distance between adjacent maxima on the screen will also decrease. This is because of the formula for fringe width, which shows that as the slit separation (d) decreases, the fringe width (\omega) also decreases. Therefore, the pattern on the screen will spread out even further, making the distance between adjacent maxima smaller.
  • #1
ksn
4
0
In a double slit experiment it is observed that the distance between adjacent maxima on a remote screen is 1cm. Whats happens to the distance between adjacent maxima when the slit separation is cut in half?
 
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  • #2
As the slit separation decreases, the pattern on the screen spreads out. Look up Young's double slit experiment.
 
  • #3
SO when the distance is cut in half the screen size will go from 1cm to 2cm or will it go to 4cm ?
 
  • #4
We have the formula for fringe width as

[tex] \omega = \lambda D/d [/tex]

D= distance between slits and screen
d= width of slits
[tex]\omega= fringe width [/tex]
[tex]\lambda= wavelength of light used[/tex]
 
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Related to Double slit experiment distance

1. What is the double slit experiment distance?

The double slit experiment distance refers to the distance between the two slits in the apparatus used to conduct the double slit experiment. This distance is a crucial factor in determining the interference patterns observed in the experiment.

2. How does the distance between the slits affect the outcome of the double slit experiment?

The distance between the slits directly affects the interference pattern observed in the double slit experiment. A smaller distance between the slits results in a wider interference pattern, while a larger distance results in a narrower interference pattern.

3. What happens to the interference pattern when the distance between the slits is increased?

When the distance between the slits is increased, the interference pattern becomes narrower and the fringes become further apart. This is because the wavelength of the light remains constant, but the distance between the slits increases, resulting in a smaller angle between the waves.

4. Why is it important to control the distance between the slits in the double slit experiment?

The distance between the slits is crucial in the double slit experiment because it directly affects the interference pattern observed. If the distance is not controlled, the interference pattern may become distorted or the fringes may overlap, making it difficult to accurately measure and interpret the results.

5. How is the distance between the slits determined in the double slit experiment?

The distance between the slits is typically determined by the type of apparatus used in the experiment. In most cases, the distance can be adjusted by the experimenter using a micrometer or other measuring tool. It is important to note the exact distance between the slits for accurate interpretation of the results.

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