Intensity in the Double-Slit

Interference Pattern
The electric fields at
the point P from the
two slits are given by

where

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 The two waves
can be added
using phasors, to
take the phase
difference into
account:

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 The time-averaged intensity is proportional
to the square of the field:

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 This plot shows the intensity as a
function of angle.

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 Interference in Thin Films
Another way path lengths can differ, and
waves interfere, is if they travel through
different media. If there is a very thin film of
material – a few wavelengths thick – light will
reflect from both the bottom and the top of the
layer, causing interference. This can be seen
in soap bubbles and oil slicks.

Thin film interference patterns seen in (a) a soap bubble, (b) a thin film of
soapy water, and (c) a thin layer of oil on wet pavement.
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 The wavelength of the
light will be different
in the oil and the air,
and the reflections at
points A and B may or
may not involve
phase changes.

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 A similar effect takes place when a shallowly
curved piece of glass is placed on a flat one.
When viewed from above, concentric circles
appear that are called Newton’s rings.

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 A beam of light reflected
by a material with index
of refraction greater than
that of the material in
which it is traveling,
changes phase by 180°
or ½ cycle.

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 KEY NOTE
1. Interference occurs when two or more
waves arrive simultaneously at the same
point in space.
2.Constructive interference occurs when
the waves are in phase.
3. Destructive interference occurs when
the waves are out of phase.

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 4. Interference can occur between reflections
from the front and back surfaces of a thin film.
5. Light undergoes a 180° phase change if it
reflects from a medium of higher index of
refraction.

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 Michelson Interferometer
The Michelson interferometer is centered
around a beam splitter, which transmits about
half the light hitting it and reflects the rest. It
can be a very sensitive measure of length.

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 Luminous Intensity
The intensity of light as perceived depends not
only on the actual intensity but also on the
sensitivity of the eye at different wavelengths.
Luminous flux: 1 lumen = 1/683 W of 555-nm
light
Luminous intensity: 1 candela = 1
lumen/steradian
Illuminance: luminous flux per unit area

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 1a. Differentiate between:
•Longitudinal waves and Transverse waves
•Mechanical waves and Electromagnetic waves
•Ultrasonic wave and Infrasonic wave
b. Loudness, Pitch and Quality are characteristics of a
musical note. Name the physical property of a sound wave
on which each characteristic depends.
c. A string wave is described by y = 0.002sin(0.5x –
628t). Determine the
i. amplitude of the wave ii. frequency of the wave
iii. period of the wave iv. wavelength v. velocity of
the wave.
d. A bat emitted a sound wave and detected its reflection
from a wall 0.02s later. Calculate the distance of the bat
from the wall. (Speed of sound in air is 340m/s).
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 ASS. SOLUTION
. (i). Transverse waves vibrate perpendicular to the direction in
which the wave travels. WHILE
Longitudinal waves vibrate parallel to the direction in which the
wave travels.
(ii). Mechanical waves are waves that require material medium for
their propagation. WHILE
Electromagnetic waves are waves that do not requirematerial
medium for their propagation.
(iii). Ultrasonic wave is a longitudinal wave whose frequency is
above the upper limit of audible range. i.e. greater than 20kHz.
WHILE
• Infrasonic wave is a longitudinal wave whose frequency is below
the audible range. i.e. below 20kHz.

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 1b. Quality: number of harmonics and their relative strengths
Loud: amplitude / intensity
Pitch: frequency

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