Young’s double slit

Physics Investigatory Project

 Made by:

Naqash

Submitted to :
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Index
1. Introduction Pg.6

2. Experiment Pg.7

3. Derivation Pg.10

4. Interference Pg.13

5. Difference between interference and diffraction Pg.14

6. Conclusion Pg.25

7. Bibliography Pg.26
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Acknowledgment
Acknowledgment to be added

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Certificate
Certificate to be added

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Context and introduction for the
experiment

Thomas Young was an English polymath known for his

significant contributions in various fields. Born in 1773,
Young made groundbreaking strides in the study of light
and vision. One of his most notable achievements was the
double-slit experiment, a pivotal demonstration that showed
the wave nature of light.

In 1801, Young conducted the double-slit experiment,

which involved passing light through two closely spaced
slits onto a screen. The result was an interference pattern,
indicating that light behaves as a wave. This challenged the
prevailing view that light was made up of particles.
Young’s experiment fundamentally contributed to the
understanding of the wave-particle duality of light and laid
the groundwork for quantum mechanics.

His work in this experiment not only impacted the

understanding of light but also significantly influenced
various scientific fields, including quantum mechanics and
the nature of matter itself. Young's contributions to the study
of light remain a cornerstone in the history of science.

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The experiment
In the double-slit experiment. light is passed
through two closely spaced slits, leading to
the emergence of an interference pattern on
a screen placed beyond the slits. This pattern
showcases the characteristic behaviors of
wave interference. The experiment
conclusively illustrated the wave-like nature
of light, challenging the prevailing notion
that light solely exhibited particle
characteristics. The interference pattern
formed from the interaction of light waves
through the slits confirmed the wave
properties of light, fundamentally altering
scientific understanding
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Theory
In double slit experiment it is concluded for the experiment to be understood it was to be agreed that light has wave
like properties such as destructive and constructive interference of waves. Constructive interference occurs when
two waves meet crest to crest or trough to trough, resulting in their amplitudes adding up. This creates a wave with a
larger amplitude, leading to a brighter light or a louder sound.

Destructive interference, on the other hand, happens when a crest meets a trough, causing the waves to cancel each
other out. This results in a reduced or complete absence of light or sound at that point.

Both phenomena depend on the phase relationship between the waves. When they are 'in phase' during constructive
interference or 'out of phase' during destructive interference, the resulting wave amplitudes change accordingly.

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 Interference

Interference is what happens when two or more waves meet each other. Depending on
the overlapping waves’ alignment of peaks and troughs, they might add up, or they can
partially or entirely cancel each other. As per the interference definition, it is defined
as Constructive Interference or Destructive Interference
The principle of superposition of waves states that when two or more waves of the
same type are incident on the same point, the resultant amplitude at that point is equal
to the vector sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves. If the crest of a wave
meets the crest of another wave of the same frequency at the same point, then the
resultant amplitude is the sum of individual amplitudes – this is known as constructive
interference. Similarly, suppose a wave’s crest meets another wave’s trough. In that
case, the resultant amplitude is equal to the difference in the individual amplitudes –
this is known as destructive interference. The formula for the sum of two waves can be
derived as follows:
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The amplitude of a sinusoidal wave travelling to the right along the x-axis is given by,

W1

(x,t)=Acos(kx−ωt)
Where A is the peak amplitude, k = 2π/λ is the wavenumber and ω = 2πf is the angular
frequency of the wave.

Consider another wave of the same frequency and amplitude but with a different phase
travelling to the right.

W2

(x,t)=Acos(kx−ωt+ϕ)
where φ is the phase difference between the faces of the radians 10
The two waves superimpose and add; the equation gives the resultant wave,

W1 + W2 =
=A[cos(kx−ωt)+cos(kx−ωt+ϕ)]
(1)
The equation gives the sum of two cosines,

cosa+cosb=2cos(a-b/2 cos a+b / 2

Solving eq 1 using formula we get

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get
W1 + w2 = 2Acos fie/2 cos kx -wt + fie

Constructive Interference: When the phase difference is an even multiple of π (φ =

….., –4π, –2π, 0, 2π, 4π,……), then cos φ/2 =1, so the sum of the two waves is a wave
with twice the amplitude.

W1 + w2 =
=2Acos(kx−ωt)
Destructive Interference: When the phase difference is an odd multiple of π (φ =…..,
–3π, –π, 0, π, 3π, 5π,……), then cos φ/2 = 0, so the sum of the two waves will be zero.

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 Conservation of energy and Interference

During interference of light, all the bright fringes formed have maximum and equal
intensity and all dark fringes formed have minimum intensity and are completely dark.
It means the energy is equally distributed among the bright and the dark fringes which
implies energy is conserved in case of interference of light.
Now, let us discuss the case of diffraction.
During diffraction of light, the bright fringes do not have equal intensity and dark
fringes in spite of being completely dark, have less bright fringes as compared to the
bright fringes. But the energy is simply redistributed among the bright and dark
fringes which also implies that the energy is conserved.
Hence, in both the cases, interference and diffraction, conservation of energy takes
place.

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 Difference between interference and diffraction
Interference
Interference may be defined as
waves emerging from two
different sources, producing
different wavefronts.
The contrast between maxima
and minima is very good.
The width of the fringes in
interference is equal
The sources are referred to as
interference sources if the
number of sources is as few as
two sources
Diffraction
Diffraction, on the other hand, can be termed as
secondary waves that emerge from the different
parts of the same wave
The contrast between maxima and minima is poor
The width of the fringes is not equal in diffraction
If the number of sources is more than two the
sources are referred to as diffraction sources.
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 Constructive Interference of waves
When two waves travel in the same direction and are
in phase with each other, their amplitude gets added,
and the resultant wave is obtained. , the waves
undergoes constructive interference. Upward
displacement happens when the waves undergo
constructive interference; hence, the upward
displacement of the medium is greater than the
displacement of the two interfering pulses.

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 Destructive interference of waves

This kind of wave interference takes place in any

location along with the medium when the two waves
that interfere with each other have a displacement in
the opposite direction. The destructive interference
pattern of the waves is shown in the figure above.
When a crest of a wave meets a trough of another
wave, the waves are said to undergo destructive
interference. The sine wave with +1 unit maximum
displacement meets a sine wave with -1 unit
maximum displacement; destructive interference
occurs. The resulting amplitude of the wave, which
undergoes destructive interference, is equal to the
difference in the individual amplitudes of the waves

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 From the visual it is understood that in waves which
are over the other that is constructive interference a
beam of light is observed. However of the waves
which are not over each other that is destructive
interference of waves it is understood that the waves
would cancel each out and no light will be seen on the
screen

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 Derivation
Consider a monochromatic light source ‘S’ kept at a
considerable distance from two slits: s1 and s2. S is
equidistant from s1 and s2. s1 and s2 behave as two
coherent sources as both are derived from S.

The light passes through these slits and falls on a

screen which is at a distance ‘D’ from the position of
slits s1 and s2. ‘d’ is the separation between two slits.

If s1 is open and s2 is closed, the screen opposite to s1

is closed, and only the screen opposite to s2 is
illuminated. The interference patterns appear only
when both slits s1 and s2 are open When the slit
separation (d) and the screen distance (D) are kept
unchanged, to reach P, the light waves from s1 and s2
must travel different distances. It implies that there is
a path difference in Young’s double slit experiment
between the two light waves from s1 and s2

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Approximation of Young’s double slit experiment
Approximation 1:D > > d: Since D > > d, the two light rays are assumed to be parallel.

Approximation 2: d/λ >> 1: Often, d is a fraction of a millimetre, and λ is a fraction of a micrometre for visible light.

Under these conditions, θ is small. Thus, we can use the approximation sin θ = tan θ ≈ θ = λ/d.

∴ path difference, Δz = λ/d

This is the path difference between two waves meeting at a point on the screen. Due to this path difference in Young’s double slit
experiment, some points on the screen are bright, and some points are dark.

Now, we will discuss the position of these light and dark fringes and fringe width
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Position of bright fringes in the screen
For maximum intensity or bright fringe to be formed at P,

Path difference, Δz = nλ (n = 0, ±1, ±2, . . . .)

i.e., xd/D = nλ
x = nλD/d

The distance of the nth bright fringe from the centre is

xn = nλD/d

Similarly, the distance of the (n-1)th bright fringe from the centre is

x (n-1)= (n -1)λD/d

Fringe width, β = xn – x (n-1) = nλD/d – (n -1)λD/d = λD/d

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(n = 0, ±1, ±2, . . . .)
Position of dark fringes in the screen
For minimum intensity or dark fringe to be formed at P,

Path difference, Δz = (2n + 1) (λ/2) (n = 0, ±1, ±2, . . . .)

i.e., x = (2n +1)λD/2d

The distance of the nth dark fringe from the centre is

xn = (2n+1)λD/2d

Similarly, the distance of the (n-1)th bright fringe from the centre is

x (n-1)= (2(n-1) +1)λD/2d

Fringe width, β = xn – x (n-1) = (2n + 1) λD/2d – (2(n -1) + 1)λD/2d = λD/d

(n = 0, ±1, ±2, . . . .)
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 Fringe width
The distance between two adjacent bright (or dark) fringes is called the fringe width.

β = λD/d

If the apparatus of Young’s double slit experiment is immersed in a liquid of refractive index (μ), then the
wavelength of light and fringe width decreases ‘μ’ times.

If white light is used in place of monochromatic light, then coloured fringes are obtained on the screen, with red
fringes larger in size than violet.

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Intensity of light in screen

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Conclusion of Young’s double slit experiment
Young’s double slit experiment was the cornerstone of the understand of dual nature of light. It totally scrapped the
idea that light was made up of particles like suggested by Sir Isaac Newton and instead took a approach more on
the side of Christian Huygens who proposed light has wave like nature to it. It is an simple experiment yet it gives
us a clear answers to the century old question of light.

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Bibliography

1. Test Book

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