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Wave Optics

Question
CBSEENPH12038334

A beam of light consisting of two wavelengths, 650 nm and 520 nm, is used to obtain interference fringes in a Young's double-slit experiment.
What is the least distance from the central maximum where the bright fringes due to both the wavelengths coincide?

Solution

Here, a beam of light consists of two wavelengths. 

Wavelength, λ1 = 650 nm = 650 × 10-9m
Wavelength, λ2 = 520 nm = 520 × 10-9 m 

Suppose,                  d = distance between two slits
                                 D = distance of screen from the slits. 

Let n fringes of wavelength 650 nm coincide with (n + 1) fringes of wavelength 520 nm.

         x = 1D/d = (n + 1)  λ2 D/d

     x = n × 650 = (n + 1) × 520 

    n+1n = 650520 = 54 

    1+1n = 54   1n =54-1 = 14

            n = 4
Hence,
Distance from the central maximum, x = n.λ1Dd
                                                             = 4 ×650 ×10-7×1200.2= 1.56 mm.