INDEX

1. (AIM) OF THE PROJECT

2. THEORY
3. EXPERIMENT
4. OBSERVATIONS
5. GRAPH
6.CONDITIONS
7.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Investigating Young’s Double-Slits
Experimentally
AIM: The overall aim of this experiment is to
investigate the relationship between the distance
between the slits and the screen, D, and the fringe
width, s
Independent variable = Fringe width, s
Dependent variable = Distance between the slits
and the screen, D
Control variables
Laser wavelength, λ
Slit separation, d

THEORY: -

Coherent Sources:
The sources of light, which emit continuous light
waves of the same wavelength, same frequency
and in the
same phase difference are called coherent
sources.
Conditions to obtain coherent light:
1. Two sources should be single source or by
same device.
2. Two sources should give monochromatic light.
3. The path difference b/w light waves from 2
sources should
be small.- Interference of Light:
It is the phenomenon of redistribution of light
energy in a
medium on account of superposition of light wave
from 2 coherent sources.

Young’s Double-Slit Experiment:

 Young’s double-slit experiment demonstrates
how light waves can produce an interference
pattern
 The setup of the experiment is shown below
There are 2 types:
1. Constructive Interference.
2. Destructive Interference
 When a monochromatic light source is
placed behind a single slit, the light is
diffracted producing two light sources at the
double slits A and B
 Since both light sources originate from the
same primary source, they are coherent and
will therefore create an observable interference
pattern
 o Both diffracted light from the double slits
create an interference pattern made up
of bright and dark fringes
 The distance between the fringes can be
calculated using the double-slit equation:
INTERFERENCE PATTERNS:-
Let the waves from 2 coherent sources of light be
represented
as:
y1 = a sinωt-----------------------------(9)
y2 = b sin (ωt + θ)---------------------------(2)
Where a and b ate the respective amplitudes of 2
waves and θ
is the constant phase angle by which second
wave leads the
first wave.-
According to Superposition Principle, the
displacement
(y) of the resultant wave at time t would be given
by
y=y1 + y2 = a sinωt + b sin(ωt + θ)
= a sinωt + b sinωt cosθ + b cosωt sinθ
y = sinωt(a+b cosθ) + cosωt.b sinθ------------(3)
put
a + b cosθ = A cosФ------------------(4)
b sinθ = A sinФ-------------------(5)
Therefore y = sinωt.AcosФ + cosωt.AsinФ
= A(sinωt cosФ + cosωt sinФ)
y = A sin (wt +Ф)-----------------(6)
Thus, the resultant wave is a harmonic wave of
amplitude A.
Squaring (4) and (5) and adding
We get: A = √(a2 + b2 + 2ab cosθ)-------------(7)
As resultant intensity I is directly proportional to
the
square of the amplitude of the resultant wave
Thus, I α A2 i.e. I α (a2 + b2 + 2ab cosθ)-----(8)
CONDITIONS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE
AND DESTRUCTIVE
INTERFERENCE
Constructive Interference:
I should be maximum, for which
Cosθ = max = +1 so, θ = 0, 2π,
4π…..
i.e.
θ = 2nπ
; where n = 0, 1, 2……
if x is the path difference, then
x=λθ/2π
x = λ (2n π)/2π
i.e.
x=nλ
Hence, condition for constructive interference at
a point
is that phase difference b/w the 2 waves reaching
the
point should be zero or an even integral multiple
of π.
Or
Path difference b/w the 2 waves reaching the
point
should be 0 or an integral multiple of full
wavelength.
So,
AMAX=(a+b)
Destructive Interference:
I should be minimum, for which
Cosθ = min = -1 so, θ = π
,3π,5π…..
i.e.
θ = (2n-1)π
; Where n = 1,2,3……
if x is the path difference, then
x=λθ/2π
x = λ ((2n-1) π)/2π
x=(2n-1)λ/2
Hence, condition for constructive interference at
a point
is that phase difference b/w the 2 waves reaching
the
point should be an odd integral multiple of π.
Path difference b/w the 2 waves reaching the
point
should be an odd integral multiple of half the
wavelength.
So,
Amin= (a-b)
For Y=xd/D
Bright Fringes:
Path Difference = xd/D = nλ where n= 0,1,2…
OR
x=nλD/d-------------(13)
Dark Fringes:
Path Difference = xd/D = (2n-1)λ/2 where
n=1,2,3…
OR
x=(2n-1)λD/2d----------(14)
Comparison shows that dark interference fringes
are situated in
b/w bright interference fringes and vice-versa.
 Separation b/w the centers of 2 consecutive
bright fringes is the
width of the dark fringe.
β = xn – xn-1 = nλD/d- (n-1)λD/d
β= λD/d---------(15)
Similarly, separation b/w the centers of 2
consecutive bright
fringes is the width of dark fringe.
Β’ = x’n – x’n-1 = [(2n-1)λD/2d]-[(2(n-1)-1)
λD/2d]
β = β’= λD/d-------------(16)
CONDITIONS:
(FOR SUSTAINED INTERFERENCE)
1. The 2 sources of light must be coherent i.e.
they emit continuous
light waves either of same wavelength or of same
frequency,
which have either same phase or constant path
difference.
 2. The 2 sources should be strong with least
background.
3. The amplitudes of waves from 2 sources
should preferably
be equal.
4. The 2 sources should preferably be
monochromatic.
5. The coherent sources must be very close to
each other.
6. The 2 sources should be point and narrow
So, all bright and dark fringes are of equal width.
PROCEDURE:

The setup of apparatus required to measure the fringe width s for

different values of D

1. Set up the apparatus by fixing the laser and the

slits to a retort stand and place the screen so
that D is 0.5 m, measured using the metre ruler
2. Darken the room and turn on the laser
3. Measure from the central fringe across many
fringes using the vernier callipers (or ideally, a
travelling microscope) and divide by the
number of fringe widths to find the fringe
width, s
 4. Increase the distance D by 0.1 m and repeat
the procedure, increasing it by 0.1 m each time
up to around 1.5 m
5. Repeat the experiment twice more and
calculate and record the mean fringe width, s,
for each distance D

OBSERVATIONS:
slit spacing, d Number of distance fringe spacing L (m) λ (nm
(mm) fringes (N) between N ∆y (cm)
fringes (cm)

Analysing the Results

 The fringe spacing equation is given by:
 Where:
o s = the distance between each fringe (m)
o λ = the wavelength of the laser light (m)
o D = the distance between the slit and the
screen (m)
 o d = the slit separation (m)
 Comparing this to the equation of a straight
line: y = mx
o y = s (m)
o x = D (m)
o Gradient = (unitless)
 Plot a graph of s against D and draw a line of
best fit
 The wavelength of the laser light is equal to
the gradient multiplied by the slit separation,
as shown by the graph:

GRAPH
Evaluating the Experiment
Systematic errors:
 Ensure the use of the set square to avoid
parallax error in the measurement of the fringe
width
 The distance between fringes is very small due
to the short wavelength of visible light
o A monochromatic light source must be
used so that the fringes easier to observe

Random errors:
 The fringe spacing can be subjective
depending on its intensity on the screen,
therefore, take multiple measurements
of s (between 3-8) and find the average
 Use a Vernier scale to record distances s to
reduce percentage uncertainty
o Use a travelling microscope, if available,
for the greatest accuracy
 Reduce the uncertainty in s by measuring
across all visible fringes and dividing by the
number of fringes
 Conduct the experiment in a darkened room,
so the fringes are clear

PRECAUTIONS:
 Lasers should be Class 2 and have a maximum
output of no more than 1 mW
 Do not allow laser beams to shine into
anyone’s eyes
 Remove reflective surfaces from the room to
ensure no laser light is reflected into anyone’s
eyes
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
 CERTIFICATE

This is to clarify that Sadhana of class XII-B

has successfully completed the investigatory
project in physics under the guidance of Mr.
SHANMUGAM.V, during the academic year
2024-2025 in partial fulfilment of physics
practical examination conducted by CBSE,
SSCE, and DELHI.

Submitted for the practical examination held

on in ST. JOHNS SR. SEC SCHOOL.

Subject teachers sign:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Wish to express my deep gratitude and sincere
Thanks to my senior principal and correspondent
DR.NALINI WILSON, ST JOHNS SR. SEC SCHOOL
for her encouragement and for all the facilities
that she provided for this project work.

Extend my heartfelt thanks to MR

SHANMUGAM.V Physics teacher, who guided me
to successful completion of this project. I take this
opportunity to express my deep sense of
gratitude for his valuable guidance, constant
encouragement, immense motivation, which has
sustained my efforts at all the stage of this project
work .

Can’t forget to offer my sincere thanks to my

parents and friends who helped me to carry out
this project work successfully with their valuable
advice and support .
 ST JOHNS SR SEC SCHOOL
MANDAIVELI,CHENNAI
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

NAME: SADHANA. M
CLASS: XI A
ROLL NO. 11037
UNDER GUIDANCE OF:
MR SHANMUGAM.V , PGT PHYSICS