Physics I / Wave Optics: Interference and Diffraction
Practice question · Match the pairs

Match each wave optics phenomenon to its key equation.

  • Double-slit bright fringe
  • Single-slit dark fringe
  • Thin-film constructive (in air)
  • Rayleigh resolution limit
  • asinθ=mλ, m0a\sin\theta = m\lambda,\ m \ne 0
  • dsinθ=mλd\sin\theta = m\lambda
  • θ1.22λ/D\theta \approx 1.22\,\lambda/D
  • 2nt=(m+12)λ2nt = (m+\tfrac{1}{2})\lambda
Hints
  1. Separate two-slit interference from single-opening diffraction.
  2. One of these adds an extra half-wavelength on reflection.
Show the answer
  • Double-slit bright fringe dsinθ=mλd\sin\theta = m\lambda
  • Single-slit dark fringe asinθ=mλ, m0a\sin\theta = m\lambda,\ m \ne 0
  • Thin-film constructive (in air) 2nt=(m+12)λ2nt = (m+\tfrac{1}{2})\lambda
  • Rayleigh resolution limit θ1.22λ/D\theta \approx 1.22\,\lambda/D
Why

Slits that are close together (separation d) give interference maxima; a single opening of width a gives diffraction minima; thin films add a half-wave flip on reflection; and Rayleigh’s criterion sets the smallest angle two sources can be apart and still be distinguished.

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