Double Slit Interference | 24.1 General Physics

Chad provides a lesson on Double Slit Interference. The lesson begins with a review of constructive and destructive interference which result when waves are in phase and out of phase respectively. The fact that light can exhibit the typical interference patterns seen with waves gave credence to the idea that light had wave-like characteristics.

In Young's Double Slit Experiment, coherent light was shown through two small slits separated by a small distance. Light passing through the two slits could interfere with each other resulting in classic interference patterns of alternating light and dark fringes when shown on a screen. The interference patterns are the results of differences in path length light travels to arrive at a particular point from each of slit. If the difference in path length is a multiple of wavelengths, then constructive interference occurs resulting in a bright fringe. If the difference in path length is an odd multiple of half the wavelength, then destructive interference occurs resulting in a dark fringe.

Chad derives the double slit interference formulas used to calculate the angles and positions of the light and dark fringes and then concludes the lesson by performing several double slit interference problems.

00:00 Lesson Introduction
00:57 Review of Constructive and Destructive Interference
05:24 Young's Double Slit Experiment (Including Derivations)
16:54 Double Slit Interference Calculations

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