Very clear Difference between interference and diffraction.

INTERFERENCE
1. It is formed due to the
superposition of waves coming from
two wavefronts.
2. ** Band width or fringe width of all
bands or fringes are of equal width.
[98% cases].
DIFFRACTION
1. It is formed due to the
superposition of waves coming from
different parts of the same
wavefront.
2. ** Width of the central maximum
is twice the width of the secondary
minima or maxima.

ᵝ (linear width) = D ʎ/d (for bright ᵝ (linear width) of central

maximum = 2 D ʎ/a
or dark).
ᵝ (angular width) of central
ᵝ( angular width) = ʎ/d ( for bright maximum = 2ʎ/a.
or dark). But for any secondary maxima or
secondary minima ( for bright or
Very important point
dark).

ᵝ (linear width) = D ʎ/a

3. Minimum intensity regions are
perfectly dark (when compared to
diffraction).
4. Large number of bands are
obtained.
5. All the bright bands are of equal
intensity.
6. There is a good contrast between
dark and bright bands(refer point 3).
ᵝ (angular width) = ʎ/a
3. Minimum intensity regions are of
dull dark( when compared to
interference)
4. A few number of bands are
obtained.
5. Intensity of bright bands goes on
decreasing and region becomes
completely dark.
6. There is a poor contrast between
dark and bright bands(refer point 3).