Question

The wavelength of the beam as observed on Earth is 633.0 nm. The separation between a dark and a bright fringe on the screen is 4.50 nm. Calculate d.

a) 628.5 nm
b) 633.0 nm
c) 637.5 nm
d) 642.0 nm

Answer 1

The question involves calculating the slit separation (d) in a double-slit diffraction experiment using the fringe separation formula. Lambda represents the known wavelength of light, and L would be the distance to the screen. Without the value of L, we cannot determine d. Option B is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the phenomenon of diffraction and interference in Physics, specifically within the topic of wave optics. To solve this question correctly, we need to use the formula for the fringe separation (y) in a double slit experiment:

y = (lambda * L) / d

where:

lambda is the wavelength of the light (633.0 nm in this case)

L is the distance from the slits to the screen

d is the separation between the slits

We are given the fringe separation (y = 4.50 nm) and the wavelength (lambda = 633.0 nm), but not L or d directly. However, we can rearrange the formula to solve for d:

d = (lambda * L) / y

Assuming that L is provided or can be obtained from prior problems, we can insert the values to find d. If we don't have L, we need more information to solve for d. Since we cannot calculate d without the correct value of L, the student should verify that they have provided all the necessary information for solving the problem.