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Physics Project - Merged

Presenting you a 12th Std. Physics Young's Double slit experiment project.

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Shreya Srivastava
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244 views

Physics Project - Merged

Presenting you a 12th Std. Physics Young's Double slit experiment project.

Uploaded by

Shreya Srivastava
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT

CBSE ROLL NUMBER


NAME SHREYA RAKESH SRIVASTAVA
CLASS XII

SUBJECT PHYSICS

SUBJECT CODE 042


SNBP’s INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MANJRI
CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Shreya Srivastava student of


class XII has successfully completed the
Physics Investigatory Project under the guidance of
Ms.Tarmaleshwari Para during the year 2024 - 2025 in
the partial fulfilment of practical examination conducted
by AISSCE, New Delhi.

Date

School Stamp

Principal’s Signature

Signature of Physics Teacher Signature of External Examiner


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been
possible without the kind support and help of many individuals.

I would like to thank my principal


Mrs. Sweta Sachwani and school for providing me with facilities
required to do my project.

I am highly indebted to my physics Teacher, Ms. Tarmaleshwari


Para , for her invaluable guidance which has
sustained my efforts in all the stages of this project work.

I would also like to thank my parents for their continuous support and
encouragement.

My thanks and apperceptions also go to my fellow classmates and


laboratory assistant in developing the project and to the people who
have willingly helped me out with their abilities.
AIM OF THE PROJECT:

Explore the physics behind the


double slit experiment
INDEX
S. NO. Topic
1 Certificate

2 Acknowledgement

3 Aim

4 Index

5 Introduction

6 Theory

7 Apparatus required

8 Procedure

9 Diagram

10 Observation

11 Conclusion

12 Precaution

13 Sources of Errors

14 Bibliography
Introduction
Young’s double slit experiment uses two coherent sources of light placed at
small distance apart. Usually, only a few orders of magnitude greater than
the wavelength of the light are used. Young’s double slit experiment helped
in understanding the wave theory of light. A screen or a photo detector is
placed at a large distance.

Each source can be considered a source of coherent light waves. At any point
on the screen at a distance ‘y’ from the centre, the waves travel distances l1
and l2 to create a path difference of Δl at the point. The point approximately
subtends an angle of θ at the sources (since the distance D is large, there is
only a very small difference between the angles subtended at sources).
Theory
Young’s double slit formula or equation is:

d= (λ *D)/w
Where: d = distance between slits
λ = wavelength of light
D = distance from slits to the screen
w = width of slit
The coherent light waves (all with the same wavelength) passing through the
two slits interfere with each other. This interference creates a series of
fringes (alternating light and dark bands) on the screen. The distance
between the slits (d) and the width of the slits (w) determine the wavelength
of light that will create constructive interference (bright fringes).

The distance from the slits to the screen (D) determines how far apart these
fringes will be.

This experiment is often used to demonstrate the wave nature of light. The
key to this experiment is that the coherent light waves must have the same
wavelength. This can be accomplished by using a laser or monochromatic
(single wavelength) light source.

If the light source is not coherent or monochromatic, then the fringes will be
blurred and no interference pattern will be observed.
Apparatus Required:

1) Laser pointer

2) Thin barrier with two closely spaced slits (can be made from a
piece of cardboard or a similar material)

3) White screen or a white wall

4) Measuring tape

5) Dark room
Procedure
1. Preparation:
- Cut two narrow, parallel slits into the barrier (cardboard). The
slits should be close together and of equal width.
- Secure the barrier so that it stands upright. You can use a stand
or any support to keep it steady.

2. Setup:
- In a dark room, place the barrier a few feet away from the screen
or wall.
- Ensure that the laser pointer is stable and can point directly at
the slits. You might need a stand for the laser pointer to keep it
steady.

3. Conducting the Experiment:


- Turn on the laser pointer and aim it at the slits in the barrier.
- Observe the pattern that appears on the screen or wall behind
the barrier.
4. Observation:
- You should see a pattern of bright and dark fringes on the screen.
This is the interference pattern resulting from the laser light passing
through the two slits.
- The bright fringes (constructive interference) occur where the
light waves from the two slits arrive in phase and reinforce each
other.
- The dark fringes (destructive interference) occur where the light
waves arrive out of phase and cancel each other out.
Observations:
1. Wave Behavior:
- When light passes through the two slits, it behaves like a wave
and spreads out from each slit.
- The waves from each slit overlap and interfere with each other,
creating a pattern of alternating bright and dark fringes.

2. Particle Behavior:
- If the light behaved purely as particles, we would expect to see
two bright spots corresponding to the two slits. However, the
observed interference pattern suggests that light has wave-like
properties.

3. Quantum Mechanics Insight:


- The double-slit experiment demonstrates the principle of wave-
particle duality. Light (and matter, such as electrons) exhibits both
wave and particle characteristics.
- If we perform the experiment with a very low intensity of light,
such that photons pass through one at a time, we will still eventually
see the interference pattern emerge, indicating that each photon
interferes with itself.
Conclusion:
1. Wave Nature of Light:
The experiment provides strong evidence that light behaves as a
wave. When light passes through two closely spaced slits, it
produces an interference pattern of bright and dark fringes on a
screen, which can only be explained if light behaves as a wave.

2. Interference:
The pattern of bright and dark fringes is due to constructive and
destructive interference. Constructive interference occurs where
the waves from the two slits are in phase and their amplitudes
add up, producing a bright fringe. Destructive interference occurs
where the waves are out of phase and cancel each other,
producing a dark fringe.

3. Wavelength Measurement:
The experiment allows for the measurement of the wavelength
of light. The distance between the fringes (fringe spacing) is
related to the wavelength of the light and the geometry of the
setup (distance between the slits and distance to the screen).
4. Principle of Superposition:
The experiment demonstrates the principle of superposition,
where two or more waves can combine to form a new wave
pattern.

5. Wave-Particle Duality:
Although Young’s experiment primarily shows the wave nature
of light, it also paved the way for the understanding of wave-
particle duality. Later experiments with electrons and other
particles showed similar interference patterns, indicating that
particles also have wave-like properties.

6. Coherence:
For a clear interference pattern to be observed, the light
sources must be coherent, meaning they must have a constant
phase relationship. This is typically achieved using a single light
source split into two paths.
Precautions:

1) Proper Slit Dimensions


2) Coherent Light Source
3) Alignment of Slits
4) Stable Setup
5) Dark Environment
6) Distance Between Slits and Screen
7) Use of Monochromatic Light
8) Clean and Precise Slits
9) Calibrated Measuring Instruments
10) Control of External Factors
Bibliography:

 NCERT Textbook

 Physics Lab Manual

 Google

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