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Project Wave-Particle Duality Draft

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FACULTY SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

Project Title: Wave-Particle Duality: The Double Slit Experiment


Session: 2024-25

Submitted to: Submitted by:


Gautam Kumar Dey Udiptya Sarma , Satya P Singh
Physics Teacher Class : XII (Science)
Faculty Senior Secondary School
CIRTIFICATE

This is to certify that Udiptya Sarma, Satya Prakash Singh a student of


Class 12, has successfully completed the project titled " Wave-Particle
Duality: The Double Slit Experiment " in accordance with the
curriculum prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education
(CBSE) for the academic year 2024-25.

This project was carried out under the guidance and supervision of Mr.
Gautam Kumar Dey , whose expertise and support were integral to the
successful completion of this study. The work presented in this project is
the original contribution of the student, completed with the aim of
enhancing understanding and application of theoretical concepts learned
in the classroom.

……………………………………. ………………………………………..
Signature of the principal Signature of the subject teacher

Mrs. Nabanita Borpuzari Mr. Gautam Kumar Dey


Principal Physics
Faculty Senior Secondary School Faculty senior secondary School
Geeta Nagar, Guwahati- 781024 Geeta Nagar, Guwahati-781024
Acknowledgment
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have
contributed to the successful completion of this investigatory project on
“The Double Slit Experiment”

Firstly, I extend my deepest appreciation to Mr. Gautam Kumar Dey,


my Physics teacher, for their invaluable guidance, encouragement, and
insightful suggestions throughout the course of this project. Their
expertise and attention to detail have been instrumental in shaping the
direction and outcome of this research.

I am also thankful to the Principal , Nabanita Borpuzari , and the


entire administration of Faculty Senior Secondary School for
providing the necessary resources and a conducive environment for
conducting this investigation.

My gratitude also extends to the laboratory staff, whose assistance


during the experimental phases was crucial in obtaining accurate results.
Their support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

I am also grateful to my classmates and friends for their continuous


support, constructive feedback, and for fostering a collaborative learning
environment that enriched this project.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the unwavering support of my


family, whose constant encouragement and understanding have been a
source of strength throughout this endeavor.

This project has been a significant learning experience, and I am truly


thankful to everyone who played a role in its successful completion.
INDEX
Introduction 1

Theory 2-3

Materials 4

Procedure and Result 5-6

Conclusion and 6
Precautions
Bibliography 7
INTRODUCTION
The Double Slit Experiment stands as a cornerstone in the study of
physics, offering profound insights into the dual nature of light and the
fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. First demonstrated by the
English scientist Thomas Young in 1801, the experiment was initially
conceived to challenge the then-prevailing Newtonian corpuscular
theory of light, which posited that light was composed of particles.

Young's experiment, however, revealed that light exhibits wave-like


behavior, as evidenced by the interference pattern formed when light
passes through two closely spaced slits. This experiment not only
provided compelling evidence for the wave theory of light but also laid
the groundwork for the development of quantum mechanics, a field that
continues to evolve and expand our understanding of the universe.

In this project, the Double Slit Experiment is revisited using modern


apparatus, specifically green monochromatic light, to observe and
analyze the resulting interference patterns. The objective of this study is
to explore the wave nature of light, understand the conditions under
which interference occurs, and relate the experimental observations to
the theoretical framework that governs wave behavior.

This experiment not only reinforces the concepts taught in the classroom
but also exemplifies the beauty of physics in unraveling the mysteries of
nature through simple yet profound experiments. The insights gained
from this study are invaluable, not just in the context of academic
learning but also in fostering a deeper appreciation for the intricate and
often counterintuitive phenomena that govern the physical world.

Theory
Historical Background

Thomas Young's Double Slit Experiment was a pivotal moment in the


history of physics. At the time, the nature of light was hotly debated,
with some scientists supporting the wave theory and others the particle
theory. Young's experiment showed that light could produce an
interference pattern, a characteristic of waves, which suggested that light
behaves as a wave.

Wave-Particle Duality

The experiment highlights the dual nature of light—exhibiting both


wave-like and particle-like properties. When light passes through two
closely spaced slits, it creates an interference pattern on the screen,
indicative of its wave nature. However, when observed at the quantum
level, light also behaves like a particle, leading to the concept of wave-
particle duality.

Interference Pattern

When coherent light passes through the slits, it diffracts and overlaps,
leading to constructive and destructive interference.

 Constructive Interference: This occurs when the path difference


between the waves from both slits is a multiple of the wavelength (nλ),
leading to bright fringes.

 Destructive Interference: This occurs when the path difference


between the waves is an odd multiple of half the wavelength ((2n+1)λ/2)
leading to dark fringes.

Equations:
The fringe width can be calculated using the formula:

Where:

 β\beta = Fringe width


 λ\lambda = Wavelength of light used (For green light, λ = 532 nm)
 D = Distance between the slits and the screen
 d = Distance between the slits

Diagram:

Materials and Apparatus:


 Green monochromatic light source (Laser with λ(lambda)= 532 nm)
 Double slit
 Screen
 Ruler or measuring tape
 Optical bench (if used)
 Power supply (if necessary)

Experimental Setup:
1. Light Source: A monochromatic light source (green) with a
known wavelength of 532 nm is used.
2. Slits: The double slit has a slit separation of approximately
d=0.5 mm
3. Screen: A screen is placed at a distance D=1 m from the double
slit to observe the interference pattern.

The arrangement can be depicted as:

Setup:

Procedure:
1. Set up the apparatus on a stable surface or optical bench with
proper alignment between the light source, double slit, and screen.
2. Switch on the monochromatic green light source and direct it
through the double slit.
3. Observe the interference pattern of bright and dark fringes on the
screen.
4. Measure the distance between consecutive bright fringes to
determine the fringe width β\betaβ.
5. Use the formula β=λD/d to calculate the wavelength of the light or
verify the given wavelength.
6. Record the measurements.

Observations:
Distance between Fringe Width Wavelength
Slit Separation (d)
Slits and Screen (D) (β\beta) (λ\lambda)
0.5 mm 1m 1.06 mm 532 nm
0.5 mm 1m 1.10 mm 532 nm
0.5 mm 1m 1.05 mm 532 nm
0.5 mm 1m 1.08 mm 532 nm
0.5 mm 1m 1.07 mm 532 nm

Calculation:

From the observed fringe width (β\beta), using the formula:

Substitute the known values:

 β=1.06 mm
 d=0.5 mm
 D=1 m
This confirms the wavelength of the green light source as λ=532 nm

Result:
Without Double Slit:

With Double Slit:


The interference pattern was successfully observed using green
monochromatic light, confirming the wave nature of light. The fringe
width was measured, and the wavelength of the light was verified as
532 nm.

Conclusion:
Young's Double Slit Experiment demonstrates that light behaves as a
wave. The formation of alternate bright and dark fringes is due to the
constructive and destructive interference of light waves, confirming the
wave theory of light. This experiment reinforces the fact that light
exhibits wave-like behavior under specific conditions.

Precautions:
1. Ensure proper alignment of the slits and screen for clear
observation of fringes.
2. Perform the experiment in a dark room to observe the interference
pattern clearly.
3. Use a stable setup to avoid disturbances that could blur the pattern.
4. Ensure that the light source is monochromatic to avoid overlapping
of different wavelengths.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Young, T. – "The Bakerian Lecture: Experiments and Calculations


Relative to Physical Optics," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal
Society of London.

 NCERT Class 12 Physics Textbook – Chapter on Wave Optics.

 S.L. Arora – Comprehensive Physics for Class XII, Dhanpat Rai &
Co.

 Websites:

 www.physicsclassroom.com
 www.toppr.com

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