Question

A double-slit experiment is to be set up so that the bright fringes appear 1.27 cm apart on a screen 2.13 m away from the two slits. The light source was wavelength 500 nm. What should be the separation between the two slits?

a. 0.35 mm
b. 0.70 mm
c. 0.175 mm
d. 0.525 mm

Answer 1

The separation between the slits in a double-slit experiment, given the wavelength of light and fringe spacing, can be calculated. However, the calculated result did not match any of the provided options, indicating a possible error in the question or options.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the calculation of slit separation in a double-slit experiment using the given wavelength of light and the observed fringe spacing on the screen. To solve this, we use the formula for the fringe spacing (y) in a double-slit interference pattern:

y = (λD) / d

Where:

• λ is the wavelength of the light
• D is the distance between the slits and the screen
• d is the separation between the slits
• y is the fringe spacing

Rearranging the formula to solve for d:

d = (λD) / y

Substituting the provided values:

d = (500 x 10-9 m * 2.13 m) / 0.0127 m

d ≈ 0.0841 mm

However, none of the provided options match this result. It seems there might be an error in the question or the options provided. Therefore, I advise re-checking the values and the calculation.