Single vs double slit experiment

[kfcman289]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

What is the difference (don't they use the same equation), and what important information should I know about the experiments?

 

[AlteredScale]

Single slit: asinθ = mλ
a = width of slit
m= distance from slit on projected screen
maxima (largest wavelength) = where m is zero or the center
bright bands will appear at m integers that are whole numbers and zero
dark bands at m integers that are decimals

double slit: dsinθ = mλ
d= distance between the two slits
bright bands will appear at m integers that are decimals and zero
dark bands at m integers that are whole numbers

These two equations are basically a way of quantifying how light is diffracted across interference gradients. It makes sense that if you have a single slit, that maxima will be directly where the light hits on the screen. Double slits will interfere with that light differently.

Here's a website to help you out and further explain. http://mcat-review.org/light-geometrical-optics.php

 

[iam1flydoctor4u]

Single slit: asinθ = mλ
a = width of slit
m= distance from slit on projected screen
maxima (largest wavelength) = where m is zero or the center
bright bands will appear at m integers that are whole numbers and zero
dark bands at m integers that are decimals

double slit: dsinθ = mλ
d= distance between the two slits
bright bands will appear at m integers that are decimals and zero
dark bands at m integers that are whole numbers

These two equations are basically a way of quantifying how light is diffracted across interference gradients. It makes sense that if you have a single slit, that maxima will be directly where the light hits on the screen. Double slits will interfere with that light differently.

Here's a website to help you out and further explain. http://mcat-review.org/light-geometrical-optics.php

For single slit I thought it was that dark bands are located at m integers as whole numbers? and bright bands at m=0 and (m+0.5)?