Two lasers are shining on a double slit, with slit separation . Laser 1 has a wa

Question

Two lasers are shining on a double slit, with slit separation . Laser 1 has a wavelength of d/20 , whereas laser 2 has a wavelength of d/15. The lasers produce separate interference patterns on a screen a distance 4.20 away from the slits. (1)Which laser has its first maximum closer to the central maximum? (2)What is the distance between the first maxima (on the same side of the central maximum) of the two patterns? (3)What is the distance between the second maximum of laser 1 and the third minimum of laser 2, on the same side of the central maximum?

Explanation / Answer

Part 1)

The equation that governs this is y/L = m(wavelength)/d

Thus y = mL(wavelength)/d

The smaller wavelength will have a smaller y distance, and thus have its first max closer to the central.

Laser 1 has a smaller wavelength, so it will have its first max closer to the central

Part B)

We will apply y - y = mL/d(wavelength - wavelength)

y-y = 1(4.2)(1/15 - 1/20)

Delta y = 0.07 m (7 cm)

Paart C)

y-y = mL(wavelength)/d - (m+.5)L(wavelength)/d

Delta y = 2.5(4.2)/15 - 2(4.2)/20

Delta y = 0.28 m (28 cm)

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