Light of wavelength 500 nm falls on two slits spaced 0.2 mm apart. If the spacing between the first and third dark fringes is to be 4.0 mm, what is the distance from the slits to a screen?

L = 0.8 m

Explanation:

Since, the distance between first and third dark fringes is 4 mm. Therefore, the fringe spacing between consecutive dark fringes will be:

Δx = 4 mm/2 = 2 mm = 2 x 10⁻³ m

but,

Δx = λL/d

λ = wavelength of the light = 500 nm = 5 x 10⁻⁷ m

d = slit spacing = 0.2 mm = 0.2 x 10⁻³ m

L = Distance between slits and screen = ?

Therefore, using the values, we get:

2 x 10⁻³ m = (5 x 10⁻⁷ m)(L)/(0.2 x 10⁻³)

L = (2 x 10⁻³ m)(0.2 x 10⁻³ m)/(5 x 10⁻⁷ m)

L = 0.8 m