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libbytam
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Homework Statement
In a Young's double slits experiment, a monochromatic light source of wavelength 700nm is used and the separation of the slits is 0.1mm. If 15 bright fringes are observed, what is the angle subtended by those fringes at the centre of the double slit?
A. 6.0°
B. 5.6°
C. 5.2°
D. 4.8°
the correct answer is B, but why..??
Homework Equations
λ = y • d / (m • L)
3. The Attempt at a Solution
λ = 7 x 10^-7 m
y = fringe separation = ?
d = slit separation = 1 x 10^-4 m
m = order value = 15
L = distance from slit to screen = ?
I've drawn a triangle which represents the double slit experiment and I know the final step will be using tan Θ. There'll be only 7 bright fringes on the one side so m = 7 (not sure if it's correct or not...)
However, I've tried to get the equation with two unknowns (y and L).
I got: (7 x 10^-7) = (y)(1 x 10^-4) / (7)L
(4.9 x 10^-6)L = (1 x 10^-4)y
as tanΘ = y/L = (4.9 x 10^-6)/(1 x 10^-4) = 0.049
Θ = 2.81° (correct to 3 sig. fig.)
...which is obviously not the correct answer... so if it's multiplied by 2 , Θ = 2.81 x 2 = 5.62, which is answer B!?
Is there a better way? Can someone please help me out?