In: Physics
47. a) Imagine that you are conducting an activity
with a laser to create an interference
pattern. Use the appropriate equations to predict two
ways (other than the way
described in the following example) to change the
interference pattern in order to
have closer fringes. Explain your predictions.
Here’s an example to get you started:
According to the equation
Δx = Lλ/d ,
the distance between the fringes (∆x) is proportional
to the wavelength (since
they are both numerators). This means that increasing
one will increase the other.
Therefore, decreasing the wavelength will decrease the
distance between the fringes.
(Hint: You can use the “Thomas Young’s Double-slit
Experiment” simulation from
this lesson to verify your
predictions.)
b) If you were using a hands-on activity to verify
your predictions and use
measurements to determine the wavelength of the laser
being used, describe any
safety precautions you would take and sources of error
that you might encounter. Be
sure to explain how you might reduce the effects of
the sources of error.