In a Young's double-slit experiment, two parallel slits with a slit separation of 0.165 mm are illuminated by light of wavelength 560 nm, and the interference pattern is observed on a screen located 4.05 m from the slits. (a) What is the difference in path lengths from each of the slits to the location of the center of a fifth-order bright fringe on the screen

the difference in path lengths from each of the slits to the location of the center of a fifth-order bright fringe on the screen is 28 × 10⁻⁷ m

Explanation:

Given the data in the question;

slit separation d = 0.165 mm = 0.165 × 10⁻³ m

wavelength λ = 560 nm = 560 × 10⁻⁹ m

distance between the screen and slits D = 4.05 m

now,

for fifth-order bright fringe path difference = mλ

where m is 5

so, the difference in path lengths from each of the slits will be;

Δr = mλ

we substitute

Δr = 5( 560 × 10⁻⁹ m )

Δr = 28 × 10⁻⁷ m

Therefore, the difference in path lengths from each of the slits to the location of the center of a fifth-order bright fringe on the screen is 28 × 10⁻⁷ m

d) physical means can be used to separate the components of air.