Advanced Placement. Diffraction and Interference. Diffraction Light is a transverse electromagnetic wave. Diffraction, and interference are phenomena observed with all waves. The light spreads around the edges of the obstacle. This is the phenomenon of diffraction. Diffraction is a wave phenomenon and is also observed with water waves in a ripple tank. The single slit Problem: When a monochromatic light source shines through a 0.2 mm wide slit onto a screen 3.5 m away, the first dark band in the pattern appears 9.1 mm from the center of the bright band.
Solution: z = 9.1 mm = 9.1*10-3 m L = 3.5 m w = 0.2 mm = 2*10-4 m L >> z, therefore λ = zw/(mL) λ = (9.1*10-3 m)(2*10-4 m)/(3.5 m) λ = 5.2*10-7 m = 520 nm Link: Single slit diffraction II Diffraction, and interference are phenomena observed with all waves. Observe single and double slit diffraction with water waves. Interference The double slit If the interference pattern is viewed on a screen a distance L from the slits, then the wavelength can be found from the spacing of the fringes. Wave Diffraction | AS A Level Physics Revision. Diffraction also occurs when a wave passes through a gap (or slit) in a barrier. This is shown in the animation below (Note: Flash Player 7 required). Try dragging the slider to change the size of the gap. How does this affect wave diffraction? When does maximum diffraction occur? (Think about your previous findings on the diffraction of sound around an obstacle). This animation is just a guide - below is a proper mathematical ripple tank simulation of waves passing through a slit.
When the gap size is larger than the wavelength, the wave passes through the gap and does not spread out much on the other side. Huygen's Principle One way to explain the effects of diffraction is to use a mathematical method invented by Christiaan Huygens (14th April, 1629 - 8th July, 1695); a Dutch mathematician and physicist. Huygens argued that a wavefront could be modeled as a series of wavelets. So far we've only considered the case of a single slit or gap for the wave to pass through. Ap_physics_2004.pdf (application/pdf Object) Ap-physics-course-description.pdf (application/pdf Object)
AP Pass - AP Physicsb Calculator. DOLORES GENDE: AP PHYSICS B: PREPARING FOR THE EXAM. DOLORES GENDE: AP PHYSICS B: INTERACTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING. Physics_equation_tables.