What is the path difference for the first minimum in a double-slit experiment?

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Question: What is the path difference for the first minimum in a double-slit experiment?

Options:

Correct Answer: λ/2

Solution:

The path difference for the first minimum is λ/2, which leads to destructive interference.

What is the path difference for the first minimum in a double-slit experiment?

What is the path difference for the first minimum in a double-slit experiment?

Step 1: Understand that in a double-slit experiment, light waves pass through two slits and create an interference pattern on a screen.
Step 2: Know that constructive interference occurs when waves meet in phase, and destructive interference occurs when waves meet out of phase.
Step 3: Recognize that for the first minimum (the first dark spot) in the interference pattern, the waves from the two slits must be out of phase by half a wavelength.
Step 4: Remember that the wavelength of the light is represented by λ (lambda).
Step 5: Conclude that the path difference for the first minimum is λ/2, which causes the waves to cancel each other out, resulting in a dark spot.

No concepts available.