Difference between interference pattern in young double slit experiment and diffraction pattern due to single slit.

Content Curator

Here's a comparison between the interference pattern in Young's double-slit experiment and the diffraction pattern due to the single-slit experiment:

Aspect	Young's Double-Slit Experiment	Single-Slit Diffraction Experiment
Source of Light	Coherent source of light (e.g., laser)	Monochromatic light source (e.g., narrow slit illuminated by a single color)
Setup	Two closely spaced parallel slits	Single narrow slit
Pattern Formation	Interference pattern due to superposition of waves from two slits	Diffraction pattern due to bending of waves as they pass through a narrow slit
Bright Spots	Bright spots occur in a series of maxima and minima	Bright spot occurs in the center of the pattern with decreasing intensity towards the edges
Intensity	Intensity at the bright spots depends on the phase difference between the two waves	Intensity is a function of the slit width and decreases with increasing distance from the center
Interference	The interference pattern has bright and dark fringes	The diffraction pattern has a central bright spot and a series of less intense fringes on either side
Fringe Separation	Fringes are equally spaced and have constant separation	Fringes become closer together as the distance from the center increases

Note that both experiments show wave-like behavior of light and demonstrate the superposition of waves, but they differ in the setup and pattern formation due to the differences in the source of light and setup.

Also read:

Concept Related Links
Polarisation	Coherent and Incoherent Addition of Waves	Braggs Law
Coherent Sources	Difference Between Diffraction and Interference	Polarization of Light
Destructive Interference	Raman Scattering	Wave Theory of Light

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
A magnet held vertically, with its north pole down, is dropped along the axis of a closed solenoid placed vertically on a table. If the observer looks down from the top,

the induced current will flow in the anticlockwise direction.
the induced current will flow in the clockwise direction.
no induced current will flow in the solenoid.
the magnet will fall with a constant velocity.

View Solution

2.
A current of $4.0\,\text{A}$ flows through a wire of length $1\,\text{m}$ and cross-sectional area $1.0\,\text{mm}^2$, when a potential difference of $2\,\text{V}$ is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.

View Solution

3.
Draw the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.

View Solution

4.
A ray of light MN is incident normally on the face corresponding with side AB of a prism with an isosceles right-angled triangular base ABC. Trace the path of the ray as it passes through the prism when the refractive index of the prism material is (i) $\sqrt{2}$, and (ii) $\sqrt{3}$.

View Solution

5.
A rectangular loop of size 5 cm $\times$ 8 cm is lying in the $x$-$y$ plane in a uniform magnetic field $\vec{B} = (2.0\ \text{T})\hat{k}$. The total magnetic flux linked with the loop is:

80 Wb
16 Wb
$8 \times 10^{-2}$ Wb
$8 \times 10^{-3}$ Wb

View Solution

6.
A parallel beam of monochromatic light falls normally on a single slit of width $a$ and a diffraction pattern is observed on a screen placed at distance $D$ from the slit. Explain:
(I) the formation of maxima and minima in the diffraction pattern, and
(II) why the maxima go on becoming weaker and weaker with its increasing number $n$.

View Solution

Difference between interference pattern in young double slit experiment and diffraction pattern due to single slit.

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
A magnet held vertically, with its north pole down, is dropped along the axis of a closed solenoid placed vertically on a table. If the observer looks down from the top,

2.
A current of \(4.0\,\text{A}\) flows through a wire of length \(1\,\text{m}\) and cross-sectional area \(1.0\,\text{mm}^2\), when a potential difference of \(2\,\text{V}\) is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.

3.
Draw the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.

4.
A ray of light MN is incident normally on the face corresponding with side AB of a prism with an isosceles right-angled triangular base ABC. Trace the path of the ray as it passes through the prism when the refractive index of the prism material is (i) $\sqrt{2}$, and (ii) $\sqrt{3}$.

5.
A rectangular loop of size 5 cm $\times$ 8 cm is lying in the $x$-$y$ plane in a uniform magnetic field $\vec{B} = (2.0\ \text{T})\hat{k}$. The total magnetic flux linked with the loop is:

Similar Physics Concepts

Comments

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

Difference between interference pattern in young double slit experiment and diffraction pattern due to single slit.

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.A magnet held vertically, with its north pole down, is dropped along the axis of a closed solenoid placed vertically on a table. If the observer looks down from the top,

2.A current of \(4.0\,\text{A}\) flows through a wire of length \(1\,\text{m}\) and cross-sectional area \(1.0\,\text{mm}^2\), when a potential difference of \(2\,\text{V}\) is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.

3.Draw the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.

4.A ray of light MN is incident normally on the face corresponding with side AB of a prism with an isosceles right-angled triangular base ABC. Trace the path of the ray as it passes through the prism when the refractive index of the prism material is (i) $\sqrt{2}$, and (ii) $\sqrt{3}$.

5.A rectangular loop of size 5 cm $\times$ 8 cm is lying in the $x$-$y$ plane in a uniform magnetic field $\vec{B} = (2.0\ \text{T})\hat{k}$. The total magnetic flux linked with the loop is:

Similar Physics Concepts

Comments

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

1.
A magnet held vertically, with its north pole down, is dropped along the axis of a closed solenoid placed vertically on a table. If the observer looks down from the top,

2.
A current of \(4.0\,\text{A}\) flows through a wire of length \(1\,\text{m}\) and cross-sectional area \(1.0\,\text{mm}^2\), when a potential difference of \(2\,\text{V}\) is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.

3.
Draw the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.

4.
A ray of light MN is incident normally on the face corresponding with side AB of a prism with an isosceles right-angled triangular base ABC. Trace the path of the ray as it passes through the prism when the refractive index of the prism material is (i) $\sqrt{2}$, and (ii) $\sqrt{3}$.

5.
A rectangular loop of size 5 cm $\times$ 8 cm is lying in the $x$-$y$ plane in a uniform magnetic field $\vec{B} = (2.0\ \text{T})\hat{k}$. The total magnetic flux linked with the loop is: