Q.A beam of light consisting of two wavelengths, 650 nm and 520 nm, is used to obtain interference fringes in a Young's double-slit experiment.
🔒You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Double Slit Interference
Double Slit Interference: From Ripples to Light
Imagine dropping two stones into a still pond at the same time, a short distance apart. Watch the ripples spread. Where a crest from one stone meets a crest from the other, the water rises higher. Where a crest meets a trough, the water flattens out. That is interference — waves adding or cancelling.
Now replace the water with light. Replace the stones with two narrow slits cut into a barrier. Shine a single colour of light (say, red laser light) onto the slits. On a screen behind the barrier, you do not see two bright spots. Instead, you see a pattern of alternating bright and dark bands — like a striped zebra crossing made of light.
That pattern is double slit interference. It is the single most convincing proof that light behaves as a wave.
The Core Idea
Light from a single source passes through two narrow slits. Each slit acts as a new source of waves. These two sets of waves spread out and overlap. At any point on the screen, the light you see is the sum of the waves from slit 1 and slit 2.
Whether they add (bright) or cancel (dark) depends on one thing: the path difference — how much farther one wave has travelled compared to the other.
For constructive interference (bright band): path difference = nλ (whole number of wavelengths)
For destructive interference (dark band): path difference = (n+21)λ (half-integer number of wavelengths)
Here λ is the wavelength of the light, and n=0,1,2,…
The Geometry
Let the slits be separated by distance d. The screen is far away at distance D (D≫d). For a point on the screen at angle θ from the centre:
- The path difference Δx=dsinθ
- Bright bands occur when dsinθ=nλ
- Dark bands occur when dsinθ=(n+21)λ
The position y of the n-th bright band on the screen (measured from the centre) is:
yn=dnλD
The spacing between consecutive bright bands (fringe width) is:
β=dλD
Fringe width β=dλD
What This Tells You
- Larger λ → wider fringes (red light spreads more than blue)
- Larger D → wider fringes (screen further away spreads the pattern)
- Smaller d → wider fringes (slits closer together spread the pattern more)
If you cover one slit, the pattern vanishes — you get a single blurry blob. The stripes only appear when both slits are open, proving that the light from the two slits is interfering.
Why It Matters
Double slit interference is not a classroom toy. It is the foundation of:
- Young's experiment (1801) — which settled the debate: light is a wave
- Diffraction gratings — used in spectrometers to identify elements by their light …
Why this formula?
Double Slit Interference: Why the Formula Holds
Let's build the understanding from first principles — not just memorise the formula, but see why it must be true.
1. The Core Idea: Path Difference Creates Phase Difference
Imagine two narrow slits S1 and S2, separated by distance d, illuminated by a single coherent source. Light from each slit travels to a point P on a screen at distance D (where D≫d).
- The two waves start in phase at the slits (same source).
- They travel different distances to reach P.
- This path difference Δx causes a phase difference Δϕ.
Key relation:
Δϕ=λ2π⋅Δx
Why? Because one full wavelength λ corresponds to a phase change of 2π radians.
2. Finding the Path Difference
From the geometry (see diagram in any textbook):
- For a point P at angle θ from the central axis, the extra distance travelled by the wave from the farther slit is approximately:
Δx=dsinθ
Why approximate? Because we assume D≫d, so the two paths are nearly parallel. This is the Fraunhofer (far-field) approximation — valid for most exam setups.
3. Condition for Constructive Interference (Bright Fringes)
Waves interfere constructively when they arrive in phase:
Δϕ=2πm(m=0,±1,±2,…)
Using Δϕ=λ2π⋅dsinθ, we get:
λ2π⋅dsinθ=2πm
Cancel 2π to obtain the bright fringe condition:
dsinθ=mλ
- m is called the order of the fringe.
- m=0 gives the central bright fringe (straight ahead).
4. Condition for Destructive Interference (Dark Fringes)
Waves interfere destructively when they arrive out of phase by π (half a cycle):
Δϕ=(2m+1)π
Substitute again:
λ2π⋅dsinθ=(2m+1)π
Cancel π to get the dark fringe condition:
dsinθ=(m+21)λ
5. From Angle to Position on Screen
For small angles (typical in exam problems), sinθ≈tanθ=Dy, where y is the distance from the central maximum on the screen.
Bright fringe position:
ym=dmλD
Dark fringe position:
ym=d(m+21)λD …
n-th bright fringe: yn=dnλD. Using the standard values for this NCERT problem, D=1.2 m, d=2 mm:
(a) Third bright fringe (n=3) for λ1=650 nm: y3=2mm3×650nm×1.2m≈1.17 mm. …
Using the standard NCERT data for this problem (D=1.2 m, d=2 mm, not repeated in the stored stem): (a) the third bright fringe for 650 nm is at y3≈1.17 mm from the centre;
(b) the bright fringes of the two wavelengths first coincide at y≈1.56 mm.
The governing relation
In Young's double-slit experiment, a bright fringe occurs at path difference dsinθ=nλ; for small angles (sinθ≈y/D), the n-th bright fringe sits at
yn=dnλD.
(This problem is the standard NCERT exercise, which supplies slit separation d=2 mm and screen distance D=1.2 m; these values are used below.)
(a) Third bright fringe for λ1=650 nm
The central maximum is n=0, so the third bright fringe is n=3:
y3=d3λ1D=2×10−33×(650×10−9)×1.2=2×10−32.34×10−6≈1.17×10−3 m=1.17 mm.
(b) Least distance where bright fringes of both wavelengths coincide
A bright fringe of λ1=650 nm lands on a bright fringe of λ2=520 nm when their positions match:
n1λ1=n2λ2⟹n1(650)=n2(520)⟹n2n1=650520=54.
The smallest positive integers satisfying this are n1=4, n2=5 (i.e. the 4th bright fringe of the 650 nm light coincides with the 5th bright fringe of the 520 nm light - check: 4×650=2600=5×520, confirmed). …
Method: Path Difference Approach for Young’s Double-Slit Interference
This method uses the condition for bright fringes based on path difference, then applies it to find positions on the screen.
Step 1: Recall the condition for bright fringes
For a bright fringe (constructive interference) in Young’s double-slit experiment:
Path difference=nλ
where n=0,1,2,… gives the order of the bright fringe (n=0 is the central maximum).
The position of the nth bright fringe on the screen is:
yn=dnλD
where:
- D = distance from slits to screen
- d = separation between slits
- λ = wavelength of light
Step 2: Solve part (a) — Third bright fringe for λ=650 nm
For the third bright fringe, n=3.
y3=d3×(650×10−9)×D
Answer (a):
y3=d1950×10−9D m
Note: Since D and d are not given in the problem, the answer is expressed in terms of these parameters. In an exam, if numerical values are provided, substitute them directly.
Step 3: Solve part (b) — Least distance where bright fringes coincide
Key idea: Two bright fringes coincide when their positions on the screen are equal.
Let λ1=650 nm and λ2=520 nm.
For coincidence at some distance y from the centre:
dn1λ1D=dn2λ2D
Cancelling D/d:
n1λ1=n2λ2
Substitute the wavelengths:
n1×650=n2×520
Step 4: Find the smallest integers n1,n2
Divide both sides by 10:
65n1=52n2 …
🧠 Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
✗ Mistake 1: Using the wrong formula for bright fringe position
- What students do: Use y=dnλD but forget whether n starts from 0 or 1.
- Why it’s wrong: For bright fringes, n=0 is central maximum, n=1 is first bright, etc. So third bright fringe means n=3, not n=2.
- ✓ Fix: Always write: yn=dnλD, with n=0,1,2,…
✗ Mistake 2: Not converting units (nm → m)
- What students do: Plug 650 directly without converting to metres.
- Why it’s wrong: d and D are in metres — mismatch gives wrong answer.
- ✓ Fix: Convert: 650 nm=650×10−9 m.
✗ Mistake 3: Confusing “coincide” with “overlap of any fringe”
- What students do: Set n1λ1=n2λ2 but forget both n1 and n2 must be integers.
- Why it’s wrong: Coincidence means bright fringe of one wavelength exactly at same position as bright fringe of the other.
- ✓ Fix: Solve n1λ1=n2λ2 for smallest integers n1,n2.
✗ Mistake 4: Forgetting that n starts from 0 for central maximum
- What students do: Take n=1 as the first coincidence.
- Why it’s wrong: At n1=n2=0, both central maxima coincide — but question asks least distance from central maximum (excluding the centre itself).
- ✓ Fix: Find smallest non-zero integers satisfying n1λ1=n2λ2.
✓ Correct Step-by-Step Solution
Given:
- λ1=650 nm=650×10−9 m
- λ2=520 nm=520×10−9 m
- Let slit separation =d, screen distance =D (both in metres)
(a) Third bright fringe for λ1=650 nm
For bright fringe:
yn=dnλD
Third bright fringe ⇒n=3
y3=d3×650×10−9×D
Answer:
y3=d1950×10−9D m
If D and d are given, substitute directly.
(b) Least distance where bright fringes coincide (excluding centre) …
Showing the 12 most recent of 13 on this concept.
- GUJCET 2026Set x1 markMCQQ.In a Young's double slit experiment, the slits are separated by 0.2 mm and placed 2.0 m away. The distance between the central bright fringe and the first bright fringe (fringe width) is measured to be 1.5 cm. Determine the wavelength of light used in the experiment. (A) 4200 A˚ (B) 5000 A˚ (C) 4600 A˚ (D) 15000 A˚ (Calculated result)
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR] Substituting the given numbers into λ=βd/D yields 1.5×10−6 m =15000A˚, matching option (D).
Concept
In Young's double-slit experiment the fringe width is β=dλD, where d is the slit separation and D the slit-to-screen distance. Rearranged, λ=Dβd.
Solution
Given d=0.2mm=0.2×10−3 m, D=2.0 m, β=1.5cm=1.5×10−2 m. …
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If path difference between two waves is 3 lambda then phase difference related with them is ___.(a) 4 pi rad(b) 3 pi rad(c) 2 pi rad(d) 6 pi rad
›Reveal solutionSolution
Path difference and phase difference are related by delta(phi) = (2 pi/lambda) x (path difference), because one full wavelength of path corresponds to a full 2 pi cycle of phase.
…
- GUJCET 2025Set 031 markMCQQ.Two waves of same intensity I0 emitted from two sources having same phase difference (ϕ). Due to superposition of two waves, the intensity of resultant wave is directly proportional to ______. (A) sin2(2ϕ) (B) sin2ϕ (C) cos2(2ϕ) (D) cos2ϕ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Superposition of two equal-intensity coherent waves gives I=4I0cos2(ϕ/2).
Concept — interference. Resultant intensity of two waves of intensities I1,I2 with phase difference ϕ is I=I1+I2+2I1I2cosϕ.
Steps.
- With I1=I2=I0: I=2I0+2I0cosϕ=2I0(1+cosϕ). …
- GUJCET 2025Set 031 markMCQQ.In Young's double slit experiment, the slits are separated by 0.54 mm and the screen is placed 1.8 m away. The distance between central bright fringe and sixth bright fringe is measured to be 1.2 cm. Determine the wavelength of light used in the experiment. (A) 5000 Å (B) 600 nm (C) 8000 nm (D) 800 nm
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR]
From λ=xnd/(nD) the wavelength is 600nm.
Concept
In Young's double-slit experiment the distance of the n-th bright fringe from the centre is xn=dnλD, so λ=nDxnd.
Solution
Given d=0.54mm=0.54×10−3m, D=1.8m, x6=1.2cm=1.2×10−2m, n=6: …
- GUJCET 2024Set 131 markMCQQ.In a Young's double-slit experiment, the slits are separated by 0.28 mm and the screen is placed 1.4 m away. The distance between the central bright fringe and the fourth bright fringe is measured to be 1.2 cm. Then the wavelength of light used in the experiment is ________. (A) 500 nm (B) 660 nm (C) 600 nm (D) 550 nm
›Reveal solutionSolution
Fourth bright fringe: y4=d4λD, solve for λ.
Steps. d=0.28×10−3 m, D=1.4 m, y4=1.2×10−2 m, n=4. …
- GUJCET 2023Set 091 markMCQQ.Two slits are made 10 millimeter apart and the screen is placed 1.5 metre away. What is the fringe separation when a wavelength of 7000A˚ is used? (A) 105μm (B) 1.05μm (C) 10.5μm (D) 0.105μm
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR]
Using β=λD/d gives a fringe width of 105μm.
Concept
In Young's double-slit experiment the spacing between adjacent bright (or dark) fringes is β=dλD, where D is the slit-to-screen distance and d the slit separation.
Solution
Convert units: λ=7000A˚=7×10−7m, D=1.5m, d=10mm=1×10−2m. …
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.In Young's double experiment the distance between two slits is 0.2 mm and the distance between slit and screen is 1.5 m. The wavelength of light used is 600 nm. The distance between any two consecutive bright fringes is ___ mm.(a) 0.8(b) 4.5(c) 0.5(d) 2.0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The spacing of consecutive bright fringes is beta = lambda D/d = 4.5 mm.
Fringe width in Young's double-slit experiment:
beta = lambda D / d.
Substitute lambda = 600 nm = 600 x 10^-9 m, D = 1.5 m, d = 0.2 mm = 0.2 x 10^-3 m: …
- GUJCET 2022Set 171 markMCQQ.Two slits are made 3 millimetre (3 mm) apart and the screen is placed 2 m away. What is the fringe separation when blue-green light of wavelength 600 nm is used? (A) 0.4 mm (B) 0.6 mm (C) 0.5 mm (D) 0.7 mm
›Reveal solutionSolution
β=dλD.
Steps.
- λ=600 nm=6×10−7 m, D=2 m, d=3 mm=3×10−3 m. …
- GUJCET 2021Set 151 markMCQQ.The wavelength of light 500 nm is used in a Young's double-slit experiment. The distance between the slits and screen is 100 cm and the slits are separated by 1 mm. Then find distance between fifth (5th) and third (3rd) bright fringes. (A) 1 mm (B) 3 mm (C) 2 mm (D) 4 mm
›Reveal solutionSolution
Consecutive bright fringes are beta = lambda D/d apart; the 5th and 3rd differ by 2 beta.
Concept. β=dλD, and x5−x3=(5−3)β=2β. …
- GUJCET 2020Set 071 markMCQQ.The distance between two slits is 3 mm & screen is placed at 2 m distance. When blue-green light of wavelength 500 nm is used then distance between two fringes will be? (A) 0.5 mm (B) 0.43 mm (C) 0.33 mm (D) 0.4 mm
›Reveal solutionSolution
Fringe spacing in YDSE is β=dλD.
Concept: In Young's double-slit experiment the distance between adjacent bright (or dark) fringes is β=dλD. …
- GUJCET 2019Set 131 markMCQQ.In Young's experiment fourth bright fringe produced by light of 5000A˚ superposes on the fifth bright fringe of an unknown wavelength. the unknown wavelength is ............ A˚ . (A) 8000 (B) 5000 (C) 6000 (D) 4000
›Reveal solutionSolution
Overlapping bright fringes have equal positions, so n1λ1=n2λ2.
Concept first: The position of the n-th bright fringe is yn=nλD/d. If the 4th bright fringe of 5000A˚ coincides with the 5th bright fringe of the unknown wavelength: …
- GUJCET 2015Set C1 markMCQQ.Light of wave length λ is incident on slit of width d. The resulting diffraction pattern is observed on a screen placed at distance D. The linear width of central maximum is equal to width of the slit, then D = _____ (A) d2λ2 (B) 2λd2 (C) λd (D) d2λ
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR] Setting the central-maximum width equal to the slit width gives D=2λd2, option (B).
Concept …
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.