Final answer:
The number of bright fringes on either side of the central bright fringe can be determined using the formula m = (dsinθ) / λ. By substituting the given values, the answer is 9.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of bright fringes that can be formed on either side of the central bright fringe in a double-slit experiment can be determined using the formula:
m = (dsinθ) / λ
where m is the order of the bright fringe, d is the slit separation, θ is the angle, and λ is the wavelength of light.
In this case, the slit separation is given as 1.7 x 10-6 m and the wavelength is given as 597.0 x 10-9 m. The maximum angle, θ, for bright fringes is typically given by:
sinθ = mλ / d
By substituting the given values into the formula, we can determine the number of bright fringes on either side of the central bright fringe to be 9 (c).