Chapter 19, Problem 57A

To determine

To explain: The process of detecting whether the pattern is produced by a single slit or double slit.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Diffraction of light waves is an optical phenomenon defined as the bending of light waves around the edges of an obstacle and illuminates the region where the geometrical shadow of the obstacle is expected. As the light wave encounters the slit, the wave bends and there will be a diffraction of light waves from the slit. Thus, interference takes place between the light waves that are diffracted from the slit. The interference may be constructive or destructive. For constructive interference, the band produced in the pattern is bright and for the destructive interference, the region is dark in the pattern.

The lines in the diffraction pattern produced by double slit are equally spaced and their brightness are equal. While, the diffraction pattern formed by single slit contains bright and broad central band with dimmer side bands.