Csec Phy 3.11

LIGHT AND WATER WAVES
Diffraction of Waves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bHipDSHVG4
Explain why the diffraction of light is not normally observed

Diffraction is the spreading of a wave when it passes through a gap or past an edge.It depends on the
wavelength and the size of the gap. Greatest diffraction occurs when these are the same size. As the
wavelength of light is very small(0.5 x 10-6m) diffraction of light is not normally observed.
When water waves pass through a gap diffraction occurs. Since water waves are much larger than light
waves, diffraction of water waves is normally observed when the gap size is equal to the wavelength.
Compare the rival theories of light held by scientists (Wave Particle Duality)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FipMEWh-Hns
Light has two theories, the wave theory and the particle theory.Huygens, Foucault and Youngs supported
the wave nature of light based on the evidence that light can undergo reflection, refraction, diffraction and
interference. Newton and Einstein supported the particle theory of light based on the evidence that light
travels in straight lines and can travel through a vacuum. It is also supported by the phenomena of
photoelectric effect.
Interference and the two-slit experiment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDX3qb_BMs4
When two waves meet and pass through each other, the waves superimpose. Interference or
superposition is the combination of waves to give a larger or smaller wave.
Constructive Interference occurs when two waves meet in phase(crest and crest) and the waves
superimpose and increase the amplitude at that point.
Destructive Interference occurs when two waves meet out of phase (crest and trough) and the waves
superimpose and cancel out the amplitude at that point.
Interference pattern is a pattern formed by the constructive and destructive interference of waves.
Constructive and destructive interference Two water waves produce an interference pattern
Conduct a Young’s double slit experiment to show that light is a wave

Thomas Young investigated what happened when light passed through two narrow gaps. He found that the
light produces clear interference patterns in the same way as water waves passing through two gaps. A
stream of particles would not produce this effect.(evidence that light is a wave). The patterns could only be
explained if light was travelling as a wave.
The particle nature of light

Some effects, however, cannot be explained by the wave model of light. Digital cameras and photovoltaic
cells behave as if they are collecting light energy in small packets(photons), similar to particles.
Answers
2. Newton and Einstein proposed a particle theory of light.
3. a) The wave theory was supported by Young’s experiment.
b) Young’s experiment produces an interference pattern of bright and dark fringes from two coherent sources
of light. Interference is a phenomenon of waves. The bright fringes occur where the waves meet in phase
and the dark fringes occur where they meet exactly out of phase.
4. a) The wave theory was supported by Foucault’s experiment.
b) Foucault’s experiment proved that light travels faster in air than in water. This is contrary to the
expectations of particle theory, which suggest that it should travel faster in water.
5. a) Planck and Einstein are the scientists responsible for the quantum theory.
b) The quantum theory suggests that light can be considered as being particle and wavelike in nature.Each
wave pulse can be considered as a packet(particle) of energy.
6. a) Diffraction is the spreading of a wave as it passes through a gap or round a barrier.
b) Strong diffraction occurs when the wavelength of the diffracted wave is about the same size as the width of
the gap through which it diffracts.
c) The wavelengths of light waves are extremely small –approximately 5 × 10−7 m for yellow light travelling in
air. This is much smaller than most gaps commonly encountered and, therefore, the diffraction of light is
not usually observed.
7. a) Interference is the phenomenon which occurs at a point where two or more waves superpose on each
other to produce a combined vibration of amplitude lesser or greater than any of the individual waves.
c) Amplitude at C = 4 mm
Amplitude at D = 0 mm

Csec Phy 3.11

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Csec Phy 3.11

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Csec Phy 3.11

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

LIGHT AND WATER WAVES

Explain why the diffraction of light is not normally observed

Interference and the two-slit experiment

Conduct a Young’s double slit experiment to show that light is a wave

The particle nature of light

3. a) The wave theory was supported by Young’s experiment.

4. a) The wave theory was supported by Foucault’s experiment.

6. a) Diffraction is the spreading of a wave as it passes through a gap or round a barrier.

You might also like