Multiple Choice
17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference
Which remains unchanged when a monochromatic beam of light passes from air into water?
- the speed of the light
- the direction of the beam
- the frequency of the light
- the wavelength of the light
Two slits are separated by a distance of 3500 nm . If light with a wavelength of 500 nm passes through the slits and produces an interference pattern, the m = ________ order minimum appears at an angle of 30.0°.
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
In the sunlight, the shadow of a building has fuzzy edges even if the building does not. Is this a refraction effect? Explain.
- Yes, this is a refraction effect, where every point on the building acts as the origin for a new wavefront.
- Yes, this is a refraction effect, where the whole building acts as the origin for a new wavefront.
- No, this is a diffraction effect, where every point on the edge of the building’s shadow acts as the origin for a new wavefront.
- No, this is a diffraction effect, where the whole building acts as the origin for a new wavefront.
17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence
Two images are just resolved when the center of the diffraction pattern of one is directly over ________ of the diffraction pattern of the other.
- the center
- the first minimum
- the first maximum
- the last maximum
Will a beam of light shining through a 1-mm hole behave any differently than a beam of light that is 1 mm wide as it leaves its source? Explain.?
- Yes, the beam passing through the hole will spread out as it travels, because it is diffracted by the edges of the hole, whereas the 1 -mm beam, which encounters no diffracting obstacle, will not spread out.
- Yes, the beam passing through the hole will be made more parallel by passing through the hole, and so will not spread out as it travels, whereas the unaltered wavefronts of the 1-mm beam will cause the beam to spread out as it travels.
- No, both beams will remain the same width as they travel, and they will not spread out.
- No, both beams will spread out as they travel.