Light: Diffraction and Interference
Light diffraction and interference are investigated as we observe light going through single and double slits. We then apply these ideas as we learn about holograms.
Light diffraction and interference are investigated as we observe light going through single and double slits. We then apply these ideas as we learn about holograms.
Learning Objectives
-Define the terms diffraction and interference.
-Explain how double slit diffraction creates interference patterns within light waves.
-Describe how amplitude is affected by light waves interfering with one another constructively and destructively.
-Compare and contrast the properties of maxima and minima seen with single and double slits.
-Describe what happens to the distance between maxima when different wavelengths of light go through single and double slits.
-Explore real world applications of light interference and diffraction.
-Define the terms diffraction and interference.
-Explain how double slit diffraction creates interference patterns within light waves.
-Describe how amplitude is affected by light waves interfering with one another constructively and destructively.
-Compare and contrast the properties of maxima and minima seen with single and double slits.
-Describe what happens to the distance between maxima when different wavelengths of light go through single and double slits.
-Explore real world applications of light interference and diffraction.
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Vocabulary
constructive interference - when two waves interact in phase with one another, that is, their peaks and their troughs are in sync; it increases the amplitude of the combined wave. destructive interference - when the peak of one wave overlaps with the trough of another wave, diminishing the amplitude of the combined wave. diffraction - the bending of a wave around a barrier. Huygens’ principle - every point on a wave behaves as a separate wave or wavelet. interference - the overlapping of waves forming a resultant wave of increased or decreased amplitude. maxima - areas of constructive interference as two waves overlap one another; seen as bright spots on the screen. minima - areas of destructive interference as two waves overlap one another; seen as dark spots on the screen. wave-particle duality - the idea that light behaves like a particle and like a wave.
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