Class note 2
Interference: The phenomenon of redistribution of light energy due to the superposition of light
waves from two or more coherent sources is known as interference.
constructive interference :At certain points, the two waves are in same phase . The amplitude of the
resultant wave will be then equal to the sum of the amplitudes of the two waves. The interference
produced at these points is called constructive interference. A bright band of light is observed at
these points.
Destructive interference :At certain points, the two waves are in out phase . The amplitude of the
resultant wave will be then equal to the sum of the amplitudes of the two waves. The interference
produced at these points is called destructive interference. A dark band of light is observed at these
points.
Consider two coherent waves. Let A be the amplitude of each of the wave. Resultant amplitude
becomes equal to 2A in constructive interference and Resultant amplitude becomes equal to 0 in
destructive interference.
Triangle law of vector addition
Resultant intensity using phasor diagram
According to triangle law of vector addition
………..(1)
Intensity of the light is proportional to square of its amplitude(I E2)
So equation (1) can be expressed as
√ …………..(2)
For constructive interference, I1 = I2 =I and =1( =0), then equation (2)becomes
……….(2)
For destructive interference, I1 = I2 =I and =-1( =180), then equation (2)becomes
……….(3)
At any point between maxima and minima equation (2)becomes
√
……………(4)
We know that =2
So, equation (4) becomes
Young’s double slit experiment
Path difference=S2P-S1P
S2P+S1P=2D
Consider the right angled triangles S1PE and S2PF
( )
( )
- =
(S2P+S1P)(S2P-S1P)=
Path difference,
Condition for Bright fringes:
Path difference=mλ,
Where m is the order of the fringes. m=0,1,2,3….
M=0 means central bright fringe
M=1 means first order bright fringe
M=2 means second order bright fringe
So on..
Condition for Dark fringes:
Path difference difference= λ
Where m is the order of the fringes
m=0,1,2,3….
…….(3)
M=0 means first order dark fringe
M=1 means second order dark fringe
So on..
Separation between adjacent bright or dark fringes(same for bright and dark fringes)
Take equation (2)
Put m=1, then x becomes x1
……….(4)
Put m=2, then x becomes x2
……(5)
Equation(5)-(4), we get fringe width β
Numerical 1:
Path difference between two coherent green light waves is 170 . Find the phase difference
between the waves? Wave length of green light is 5100 A0
The relation between path difference and path difference is
rad
Numerical 2:
Green light of wavelength 5100 A0 from a narrow slit is incident on a double slit. If the overall
separation of 10 fringes on a screen 200 cm away is 2 cm, find the slit separation ? Find the position
of second bright fringe and third dark fringe?
Given that D=200 cm=2m,
10β=2 cm
β=0.2cm=0.002m,
λ=5100
5.1 m
5.1 cm
Position of second bright fringe,(m=2)
0.004 m=0.04 cm
Position of third dark fringe,(m=2)
0.005 m=0.05 cm
