Lesson 1464 of 1524
Interference
An interference pattern is obtained by the superposition of light from two slits
Practice this chapterAn interference pattern is obtained by the superposition of light from two slits As the number of slits is increased, the intensity of the principal maxima increases and the width decreases
When light reflects from a medium having an index of refraction greater than that of the medium in which it is traveling, a 180 ° phase change (or a λ / 2 shift) occurs Thin-film interference occurs between the light reflected from the top and bottom surfaces of a film.
number of slits — increased, the intensity of the principal maxima increases and the width decreases. thin-film interference — interference between light reflected from different surfaces of a thin film. interference pattern — obtained by the superposition of light from two slits. coherent waves — waves are in phase or have a definite phase relationship.
Worked example
What does “number of slits” mean in Interference?
- 1Use the wording this chapter gives for number of slits.
- 2The book says: increased, the intensity of the principal maxima increases and the width decreases.
- 3Do not use the meaning of thin-film interference. That term means interference between light reflected from different surfaces of a thin film.
Result: increased, the intensity of the principal maxima increases and the width decreases
Why. That is the meaning this chapter gives for number of slits.
Do not swap number of slits and thin-film interference. number of slits means increased, the intensity of the principal maxima increases and the width decreases. thin-film interference means interference between light reflected from different surfaces of a thin film.
Practice margin
This chapter
A fresh set from this chapter only. Choose 10 or 20. Multiple choice and fill-in, with no repeat inside the set.