Interference of Light - Exam Notes
Long Question
Q: Explain the interference of light with the help of Young’s double-slit experiment. Derive the
conditions for bright and dark fringes and the expression for fringe spacing.
Experimental Setup
• A monochromatic light source is placed behind a single slit.
• This single slit makes the light coherent and illuminates two very narrow slits S1 and S2.
• The slits are separated by a distance d and act as coherent sources.
• A screen is placed at distance l (l >> d) to observe the interference pattern.
Principle of Interference
• When two coherent light waves overlap, they superpose.
• At some points they reinforce (constructive interference → bright fringes).
• At other points they cancel (destructive interference → dark fringes).
Path Difference
• For a point P on the screen at angle θ: ∆ = d sinθ.
Condition for Bright (Maxima)
• Constructive interference occurs when path difference = integer multiples of wavelength:
• d sinθ = mλ, (m = 0, 1, 2, …)
Condition for Dark (Minima)
• Destructive interference occurs when path difference = odd half multiples of wavelength:
• d sinθ = (m + 1/2)λ
Position of Fringes on Screen
• Using small angle approximation sinθ ≈ tanθ = y/l:
• Bright fringes: ym = (mλl)/d
• Dark fringes: y'm = ((m + 1/2)λl)/d
Fringe Spacing (β)
• The distance between two consecutive bright or dark fringes is:
• β = λl / d
• Factors affecting β: increases with λ and l, decreases with d.
Importance
• Young’s experiment gave strong evidence for the wave nature of light.
• It showed that light undergoes interference just like water and sound waves.
SLO-Based Short Questions
Q: How did Young’s double slit experiment support the wave theory of light?
Ans: The experiment produced alternating bright and dark fringes, which result from interference.
Only waves can interfere to produce such a pattern. Hence, it supported the wave theory of light.
Q: What is the condition for constructive interference?
Ans: Constructive interference occurs when the path difference is an integer multiple of wavelength:
∆ = mλ. At these points, waves reinforce each other to form bright fringes.
Q: How does increasing the distance between slits and screen affect the fringe spacing?
Ans: Fringe spacing is given by β = λl/d. Increasing the distance l increases fringe spacing. As a
result, the bright and dark fringes appear farther apart.
Q: Why is coherent light necessary for interference pattern?
Ans: Coherent sources have the same frequency and a constant phase difference. This stability is
essential for a visible interference pattern. Without coherence, no fringes appear.
Q: Why do we see alternating bright and dark fringes instead of uniform brightness?
Ans: Where the path difference = integer multiples of wavelength → constructive interference →
bright fringes. Where it equals half-integer multiples → destructive interference → dark fringes.
Q: Calculate the fringe spacing between bright fringes 2 and 3.
Ans: Position of bright fringe: ym = (mλl)/d. Spacing between two consecutive fringes is: β = λl/d.
Hence, spacing between m=2 and m=3 bright fringes is also β = λl/d.
Additional Federal Board SLO Practice Questions
• Why is a single slit placed before the two slits?
• Why do red fringes appear farther apart than blue fringes?
• Why is laser light best for interference experiments?
• What happens to fringe spacing if slit separation is halved?
• Why do two independent bulbs not produce an interference pattern?
