Finding slit seperation in two-slit experiment

  • Thread starter Thread starter clearsky
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Experiment Slit
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the slit separation in a double-slit experiment using a He-Ne laser. The key equation for solving the problem is d*sin(θ) = m*λ, where d is the slit separation, θ is the angle to the bright fringe, and λ is the wavelength of the laser light. The user initially struggled with finding sin(θ) but later realized the importance of drawing a diagram to visualize the angles and distances involved. By applying the Pythagorean theorem and using the provided measurements from the interference pattern, the correct slit separation can be calculated. The discussion concludes with a successful resolution of the problem through proper diagramming and application of the relevant formulas.
clearsky
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Light from a He-Ne laser (\lambda = 632.8nm) strikes a pair of slits at normal incidence, forming a double-slit interference pattern on a screen located 1.50 from the slits. The figure shows the interference pattern observed on the screen
Walker.28.17.jpg


What is the slit separation?

Homework Equations



d*sin(\theta) = m*sin(\lambda)
y = L*sin(\theta)

The Attempt at a Solution



I know i can solve this problem if i just find sin(\theta) but this is where I'm getting stuck.

Also, does the diagram tell me anything important? i thought maybe by dividing the 23mm by 4, i could get y (the distance between each bright fringe) but that proved to be fruitless when i tried solving for sinθ using 0.023/4 = 1.5sinθ but that didn't give me the correct answer for d.

nevermind. i figured this out.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
The formula should be d*sin(θ) = m*λ.
Draw your diagram with one line horizontal from the slits to a bright central maximum and another line at angle θ to the next bright spot, separated from the first by x. You can figure out x from the given diagram and then you can get the hypotenuse in the new diagram using the Pythagorean theorem. Use the formula to solve for the slit separation distance d.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K