Chapter 28 14) A two-slit experiment with red light produces a set of bright fri

Question

Chapter 28

14) A two-slit experiment with red light produces a set of bright fringes. (a) Will the spacing between the fringes increase, decrease, or stay the same if the color of the light is changed to blue? (b) Choose the best explanation from among the following:
I. The spacing between the fringes will increase because blue light has a greater frequency than red light.
II. The fringe spacing decreases because blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light.
III. Only the wave property of light is important in producing the fringes, not the color of the light. Therefore the spacing stays the same.

Explanation / Answer

Part A: The equation for the maxima in a double slit experiment is: d*sin(theta) = n*w w = wavelength d = slit separation theta = angle between fringes n = positive integer As the wavelength decreases, the value of sin(theta) will decrease and, therefore, the value of theta itself will decrease and the fringes will be closer together. Since blue is a shorter wavelength, the fringes will get CLOSER PART B The explanation as stated above will be 3

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