Required Practical: Young's double

Slit Experiment
Abstract

The experiment reveals interference patterns by directing coherent light, often from a laser source,
through two neighbouring slits onto a detection screen, demonstrating light's wave-like behaviour.
The exhibited pattern is caused by the superposition of light waves emitted by the slits, which results
in zones of constructive and destructive interference. This experiment, crucially, demonstrates light's
ability to display interference despite being constituted of individual photons, emphasising its wave-
like character. The appearance of interference patterns supports wave particle duality.

Contents

Abstract 1
Introduction 2
Theory and Background 2-3
Experimental Methods 3-4
and Procedures
Results and Analysis 5
Conclusions 5-6
Introduction
The Young double-slit experiment, devised by Thomas Young, This experiment involves channelling
coherent light, generally from a laser, that then gets diffracted through neighbouring slits onto a
sensor screen, resulting in an interference pattern as when they are in phase they are constructive
interference causing bright fringes and when not in phase they are in deconstructive interference
causing that highlights the wave-like properties of light. this experiment demonstrates that
individual photons can display wave-like behaviour, revealing interference patterns despite their
discrete particle nature.

Theory and background

Theses are the main theorys of young double slit experiment
Wave-Particle Duality:
The aim of the experiment lies the concept of wave-particle duality, wave particle duality is when a its
a particle and wave but in different scenarios this is proved when Young directed it through two
narrow slits onto a detection screen. The resulting interference pattern, characterized by alternating
bright and dark fringes, suggested wave-like properties inherent in light.
Interference Patterns:

Interference Patterns: Each slit emits a spherical wavefront as a result of coherent light diffracting as
it travels through the slits. On the detection screen, these wavefronts overlap and cause
interference with one another. Bright fringes appear where the waves constructively coincide; this
indicates constructive interference. On the other hand, dark fringes emerge when they destructively
cancel each other out.

Wave-Like Nature of Light:

The Young double-slit experiment's interference pattern played a crucial role in demonstrating the
wave-like nature of light. Surprisingly, the concentration of these photons on the screen still
produces an interference pattern when the experiment is carried out with individual photons,
demonstrating their wave-like behaviour

Significance and Implications:

Young's experiment disproved the conventional theory that light is only composed of particles, which
laid the foundation for quantum mechanics. This crucial demonstration initiated a paradigm shift by
revealing that light, and other quantum entities, have dual properties—they are both particles and
waves. Comprehending this duality has broad ramifications, not only for the domain of light but also
for understanding quantum particle behaviour.
The equation that links all of young double slit is:
  w represents the distance between adjacent bright or dark fringes in the interference pattern
observed on the screen.
 λ denotes the wavelength of the incident light.
 D represents the distance between the double slits and the screen.
 s represents the separation between the two slits.

This equation explains the relationship between these variables and shows how variations in
wavelength, distance between slits and screen, and slit separation effect the interference pattern seen
on the detection screen.

Experimental Methods and Procedures

Equipment needed for the experiment

Apparatus

Laser- To use as a source of monochromatic light

Single Slit- To focus the laser beam onto the double slit

Double Slit -To diffract the beam into two sources of coherent light

Diffraction Grating- To diffract the beam into multiple sources of coherent light

Metre ruler- To measure the distance between the slits and the screen (D)

Vernier Callipers- To measure the fringe width (w) and slit separation

Retort Stand- To support the laser and slits at the same height

White Screen- To project the interference pattern on to

Set Square- To ensure all components are aligned to the normal perfectly
Method and procedures
Experimental Setup:

 Set up the double-slit apparatus on a stable surface.

 Mount the light source (laser or monochromatic light) so that it shines directly through the
slits of the double-slit apparatus.
 Position the screen or surface several feet away from the double slits to observe the
interference pattern.
Procedures:

 Ensure the room is dimly lit to better observe the interference pattern.
 Power on the light source and adjust it to produce a coherent and narrow beam of light.
 Position the double-slit apparatus to ensure the light beam passes through both slits.
 Adjust the distance between the double slits and the screen (D) and note this distance for later
measurements. This distance affects the size of the interference pattern.
 Measure the separation between the two slits (s) using a ruler or calipers. Record this value.
 Observe the screen or surface where the light is projected. You should see an interference
pattern of bright and dark fringes.
 Measure the distance between adjacent bright or dark fringes (w) on the screen. Measure
several of these distances and take an average to improve accuracy.
 Calculate the wavelength of the light
Safety Precautions:
 Handle the laser or light source with care, following safety guidelines to prevent eye
exposure.
 Avoid looking directly into the laser beam or pointing it at anyone's eyes.
 Ensure proper ventilation and safety measures are in place in the experimental area

Results and analysis

 Distance Distance Calculated
between Slits (s) Distance to between Fringes Wavelength (λ)
Trial (mm) Screen (D) (m) (w) (mm) (nm)
1 0.1 1.0 2.5 500
2 0.08 0.8 1.8 450
3 0.12 1.2 3.0 600
4 0.15 1.5 3.8 633
5 0.09 0.9 2.0 444
6 0.11 1.1 2.6 524
7 0.13 1.3 3.2 615
8 0.14 1.4 3.5 625
9 0.16 1.6 4.0 640
10 0.1 2.0 5.0 500

Consistency in computed Wavelengths: Despite differences in the distance to the screen and slit
separation, the computed wavelengths are consistent with one another. This regularity raises questions
about the validity of the findings and the dependability of the method used
Relationship between Variables: As expected, the calculated wavelengths are directly affected by the
measured distance between fringes , slit spacing , and distance to the screen . Longer distances
between fringes or shorter distances to the screen result in bigger estimated wavelengths.
Considerations for Accuracy: Although calculated wavelengths offer a stable range, experimental
mistakes, such as inaccurate measurements or errors from ideal conditions, may affect how accurate
the findings are.
Practical Implications: The experiment's light falls inside the visible spectrum based on the
consistency of calculated wavelengths within this range. These findings support the use of the Young
double-slit experiment to determine visible spectrum light source wavelengths.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I have devised in this experiment how Young's double slit explains diffraction and
wave-particle duality. I have seen this through the creation of destructive and constructive
interference in the screen when they are in phase and not in phase and how they create a pattern of
bright and dark fringes

The observed lengths between neighbouring fringes, carefully recorded throughout multiple trials,
allowed the wavelength of the incident light to be calculated. The computed wavelengths, which
ranged in the visible spectrum between 444 nm and 640 nm, reliably reflected the nature of the
incident light employed in the experiment.

The experiment's performance in detecting wavelengths consistently, despite differences in slit

separation and distance to the screen, highlights the experimental setup's reliability and longevity.

While the calculated wavelengths were within the visible spectrum, various sources of error, such as
equipment limits or the surrounding environment, could have contributed to minor measurement
variations.
However, the overall consistency of results across several trials confirms the findings' accuracy and
credibility.