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Two coherent point sources S 1 and S 2 vibrating in phase emit light of wavelength λ. The separation between the sources is 2λ. Consider a line passing through S 2 and perpendicular to the line S 1 S 2 . What is the smallest distance from S 2 where a minimum of intensity occurs?

Two coherent point sources S1 and S2 vibrating in phase emit light of wavelength λ. The separation between the sources is 2λ. Consider a line passing through S2 and perpendicular to the line S1S2 . What is the smallest distance from S2  where a minimum of intensity occurs?

Grade:11

1 Answers

Askiitians Expert Bharath-IITD
23 Points
14 years ago

Dear Sundeep,

See the diagram given below:

 

5940-1108_8384_Untitled.jpg

Now we know that if I1and I2 are the intensities of the given two coherent sources of light.

then

resultant I = I1 + I2 + 2 √(I1I2) cos δ

δ = phase difference between the two waves coming from the two sources

tan δ = 2λ/y....................1

and also

cos δ = x/2λ.........................2

 where x is the path difference between the waves and y is the distance along S2 at which  I is minimum

So phase difference must be odd multiples of π

so δ = (2m+1) π

and δ = x * 2π/ λ

         From 2 and above equation we get cos θ = (2m+1)/4  where θ  is shown in the figure

for first minima

m=0

so cos θ = 1/4

tan θ = √15

and from 1

y = 2λ/√15

is the distance at which we get first minima  

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