17 | Diffraction and Interference 1
17 | DIFFRACTION AND INTERFERENCE
CHAPTER REVIEW
Concept Items
17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference
(1) Which behavior of light is indicated by an interference pattern?
A ray behavior
B particle behavior
C corpuscular behavior
D wave behavior
Solution The correct answer is (D). The wave behavior of light indicates interference pattern.
Interference pattern occurs when light waves reinforce or cancel each other.
17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence
(3) There is a principle related to resolution that is expressed by this equation.
What is that principle stated in full?
A Two images are just resolved when the center of the diffraction pattern of one image
is directly over the center of the diffraction pattern of the other.
B Two images are just resolved when the center of the diffraction pattern of one image
is directly over the first maximum of the diffraction pattern of the other.
C Two images are just resolved when the center of the diffraction pattern of one image
is directly over the first minimum of the diffraction pattern of the other.
D Two images are just resolved when the center of the diffraction pattern of one image
is directly over the second minimum of the diffraction pattern of the other.
Solution The correct answer is (C). Two images are just resolved when the center of the
diffraction pattern of one image is directly over the first minimum of the diffraction
pattern of the other. Therefore, the two patterns can be seen distinctly and no
interference occurs between the peaks of the two patterns.
(5) Which statement completes this resolution?
Two images are just resolved when —
A the center of the diffraction pattern of one image is directly over the central maximum
of the diffraction pattern of the other
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B the center of the diffraction pattern of one image is directly over the central minimum
of the diffraction pattern of the other
C the center of the diffraction pattern of one image is directly over the first minimum of
the diffraction pattern of the other
D the center of the diffraction pattern of one is directly over the first maximum of the
diffraction pattern of the other
Solution The correct answer is (C). The center of the diffraction pattern of one image is
directly over the first minimum of the diffraction pattern of the other. Therefore, the
two patterns can be seen distinctly and no interference occurs between the peaks of
the two patterns.
Critical Thinking Items
17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference
17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence
(7) For what type of electromagnetic radiation would a grating with spacing greater than
800 nm be useful as a spectroscopic tool?
A It can be used to analyze spectra only in the infrared portion of the spectrum.
B It can be used to analyze spectra in the entire visible portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
C It can only be used to analyze spectra in the short-wavelength visible.
D It can only be used to analyze spectra in the short-wavelength visible and ultraviolet.
Solution The correct answer is (B). A diffraction grating acts as a set of equally spaced slits in
an opaque screen. At greater than 800 nm, the entire visible portion of the spectrum
can be analyzed.
Problems
17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference
(9) What is the distance between two slits that produce a diffraction pattern with the first
minimum at an angle of 45.0° when 410-nm violet light passes through the slits?
A 2,030 nm
B 1,450 nm
C 410 nm
D 290 nm
Solution The correct answer is (D). The relation between angle and wavelength is
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where m is the order of the minimum, λ is the wavelength of light, d is the distance between
slits, and is the angle from the original direction of the beam.
17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence
(11) A 500-nm beam of light passing through a diffraction grating creates its second band of
constructive interference at an angle of 1.50°. How far apart are the slits in the grating?
A 38,200 nm
B 19,100 nm
C 667 nm
D 333 nm
Solution The correct answer is (A). Use the formula
where and
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Performance Task
17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence
(13) In this performance task you will create one- and two-slit diffraction and observe the
interference patterns that result.
Materials
● A utility knife (a knife with a razor blade-like cutting edge)
● Aluminum foil
● A straight edge
● A strong, small light source or a laser pointer
● A tape measure
● A white wall
Procedure
1. Cut a piece of aluminum foil about
2. Use the utility knife and the straight edge to cut a straight slit several
centimeters long in the center of the foil square.
3. With the room darkened, one partner shines the light through the slit and
toward the wall. The other partner observes the pattern on the wall. The partner
with the light changes the distance from the foil to the wall and the distance
from the light to the foil.
4. When the sharpest, brightest pattern possible is obtained, the partner who is not
holding the foil and light makes measurements.
5. Measure the perpendicular (shortest) distance from the slit to the wall, the
distance from the center of the pattern to several of the dark bands, and the
distance from the slit to the same dark bands.
6. Carefully make a second slit parallel to the first slit and 1 mm or less away.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 5, only this time, measure the distances to bright bands.
Note—In your calculations, use 580 nm for λ if you used white light. If you used a color laser
pointer, look up the wavelength of the color.
You may find it easier to calculate from its tangent rather than from its sine.
Part A. Which experiment gave the most distinct pattern—one or two slits?
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Part B. What was the width of the single slit? Compare the calculated distance with the
measured distance.
Part C. What was the distance between the two slits? Compare the calculated distance with
the measured distance.
Solution Sample answer:
Part A. A double slit will give the most distinct pattern.
Part B. Answers will vary based on slit size and color of light used. The calculated distance from
screen (D) and width of slit (a) is related by the equation
Part C. Answers will vary based on slit size and color of light used. The calculated distance and
distance between slits is related by the equation
where d is the double-slit separation.
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TEST PREP
Multiple Choice
17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference
(15) Two slits are separated by a distance of 3,000 nm. If light with a wavelength of 500 nm
passes through the slits and produces an interference pattern, the m = _____ order minimum
blank
appears at an angle of 30.0°.
A 0
B 1
C 2
D 3
Solution The correct answer is (D). Solve for m in the formula
17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence
(17) Two images are just resolved when the center of the diffraction pattern of one is directly
over _____ of the diffraction pattern of the other.
blak
A the center
B the first minimum
C the first maximum
D the last maximum
Solution The correct answer is (B). Resolution is defined as the condition when the center of
the first diffraction patterns overlaps the first minimum of the other pattern.
(19) Will a beam of light shining through a 1-mm hole behave any differently than a beam of
light that is 1 mm wide as it leaves its source? Explain.
A Yes, the beam passing through the hole will spread out as it travels, because it is
diffracted by the edges of the hole, whereas the 1-mm beam, which encounters no
diffracting obstacle, will not spread out.
B Yes, the beam passing through the hole will be made more parallel by passing through
the hole, and so will not spread out as it travels, whereas the unaltered wavefronts of
the 1-mm beam will cause the beam to spread out as it travels.
C No, both beams will remain the same width as they travel, and they will not spread
out.
D No, both beams will spread out as they travel.
Solution The correct answer is (D). No. Both will spread out as they travel because each point
on a wavefront is a new source of wavelets. The wavefront in each case is the same.
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Short Answer
17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference
(21) Light passing through double slits creates a diffraction pattern. How would the spacing of
the bands in the pattern change if the slits were closer together?
A The bands would be closer together.
B The bands would spread farther apart.
C The bands would remain stationary.
D The bands would fade and eventually disappear.
Solution The correct answer is (B). The bands would be spread farther apart.
between screen and slit/distance between slit (X: Fringe
width). So, fringe width is inversely proportional to distance between slits.
(23) What is the wavelength of light falling on double slits separated by 2.00 μm if the third-
order maximum is at an angle of 60.0°?
A 667 nm
B 471 nm
C 333 nm
D 577 nm
Solution The correct answer is (D). To find the wavelength λ, use the equation
where and
17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence
(25) Describe a diffraction grating and the interference pattern it produces.
A A diffraction grating is a large collection of evenly spaced parallel lines that produces
an interference pattern that is similar to but sharper and better dispersed than that of
a double slit.
B A diffraction grating is a large collection of randomly spaced parallel lines that
produces an interference pattern that is similar to but less sharp or well-dispersed as
that of a double slit.
C A diffraction grating is a large collection of randomly spaced intersecting lines that
produces an interference pattern that is similar to but sharper and better dispersed
than that of a double slit.
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D A diffraction grating is a large collection of evenly spaced intersecting lines that
produces an interference pattern that is similar to but less sharp or well-dispersed as
that of a double slit.
Solution The correct answer is (A). A diffraction grating is a large collection of evenly spaced
parallel slits that produces an interference pattern similar to but sharper than that of
a double slit.
(27) How many lines per centimeter are there on a diffraction grating that gives a first-order
maximum for 473-nm blue light at an angle of 25.0°?
A 529,000 lines/cm
B 50,000 lines/cm
C 851 lines/cm
D 8,934 lines/cm
Solution The correct answer is (D). The formula for diffraction maxima using diffraction
grating is Substitute values and to find N.
Extended Response
17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference
(29) Suppose you use a double slit to perform Young’s double-slit experiment in air, and then
repeat the experiment with the same double slit in water. Does the color of the light change?
Explain. Do the angles to the same parts of the interference pattern increase or decrease?
A No, the color is determined by frequency. The magnitude of the angle decreases.
B No, the color is determined by wavelength. The magnitude of the angle decreases.
C Yes, the color is determined by frequency. The magnitude of the angle increases.
D Yes, the color is determined by wavelength. The magnitude of the angle increases.
Solution The correct answer is (A). When immersed in water, the velocity of light decreases.
The frequency does not change. As λ decreases, the magnitude of the angle decreases.
17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence
(31) Compare the interference patterns of single-slit diffraction, double-slit diffraction, and a
diffraction grating.
A All three interference patterns produce identical bands.
B A double slit produces the sharpest and most distinct bands.
C A single slit produces the sharpest and most distinct bands.
D The diffraction grating produces the sharpest and most distinct bands.
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Solution The correct answer is (D). One slit produces a strong central band with bands on
either side that are dim compared to those of a two-slit pattern. In general, the two-
slit pattern is more distinct than the pattern produced by one slit. The diffraction
grating produces the sharpest and most distinct bands of the three.
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