Paul Peter Urone; Roger Hinrichs

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Key Equations

PhysicsKey Equations

17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference

speed of light, frequency, and wavelength	$c = f λ$
change of wavelength with index of refraction	$λ_{n} = \frac{λ}{n}$
two-slit constructive interference	$d \sin θ = m λ$ , for m = 0, 1, −1, 2, −2, …
two-slit destructive interference	$d \sin θ = (m + ½) λ$ , for m = 0, 1, −1, 2, −2, …
one-slit, first-order destructive interference; wavelength related to dimensions	$\frac{D y}{L} = λ$
one-slit destructive interference	$D \sin θ = m λ$

17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence

wavelength change with change in medium	$λ_{n} = \frac{λ}{n}$
diffraction grating constructive interference	$d \sin θ = m λ$
resolution	$θ = 1.22 \frac{λ}{D}$

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- Authors: Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
- Publisher/website: OpenStax
- Book title: Physics
- Publication date: Mar 26, 2020
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/1-introduction
- Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/17-key-equations

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