Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Light Waves
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Light Waves
Coherent light of wavelength λ illuminates a double slit S_1 - S_2...
Coherent light of wavelength illuminates a double slit . The separation between the slits is . A plane mirror is positioned in front of the double slit at a distance , and a screen is located behind the double slit at a distance , as shown in the figure. The screen receives only the light reflected by the mirror. Determine the fringe-width of the interference pattern on the screen.

Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
D.
Step-by-step solution
The light from the double slits and travels a distance to reach the plane mirror.
Upon reflection, the plane mirror forms virtual images of the slits, let's call them and . These virtual sources act as the coherent sources for the interference pattern on the screen.
The virtual sources and are formed at a distance behind the mirror. The separation between these virtual sources remains the same as the original slits, so .
The screen is located at a distance behind the plane of the double slits. Therefore, the distance from the mirror to the screen is .
The total effective distance from the virtual coherent sources and to the screen is the sum of the distance from the virtual sources to the mirror and the distance from the mirror to the screen:
The fringe width of the interference pattern is given by the standard formula:
Substituting the effective distance into the formula, we get:
Upon reflection, the plane mirror forms virtual images of the slits, let's call them and . These virtual sources act as the coherent sources for the interference pattern on the screen.
The virtual sources and are formed at a distance behind the mirror. The separation between these virtual sources remains the same as the original slits, so .
The screen is located at a distance behind the plane of the double slits. Therefore, the distance from the mirror to the screen is .
The total effective distance from the virtual coherent sources and to the screen is the sum of the distance from the virtual sources to the mirror and the distance from the mirror to the screen:
The fringe width of the interference pattern is given by the standard formula:
Substituting the effective distance into the formula, we get: