9.2. Single Slit Interference
Back in Section 4.4 we looked at Young's Double Slit experiment - a foundational experiment that demonstrates the wavelike nature of light through the phenomenon of wave interference. Light waves emanating from one slit interfere with light from the other slit, creating the characteristic interference pattern due to the path difference between sources. Interestingly, when we perform the same experiment with a single slit - we are also able to observe some wave interference. Veritasium made a nice little video which frames this section nicely, take a look.
We will explore the reasons behind why a single slit is also able to create its own characteristic interference pattern. The section has been divided up as follows:
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Single Slit Diffraction - how can a single slit also set up interference patterns?
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Link to Double Slit - comparing the interference patterns of single vs double slit
Single Slit Diffraction
Brush up on the Young's Double Slit experiment from Section 4.4 and remind yourself about some of the key ideas and bits of vocab. Remember that it is the path difference between one slit and the other that causes an interference pattern to occur (either constructive if they the path difference is an integer multiple of λ, or destructive interference if the path difference is a half integer multiple of λ). Here we will observe that we can obtain an interference pattern with just a single slit.
If we go back to the Falstad ripple tank simulation we can observe the single slit interference pattern forming.
From the drop down menu, select the Single Slit option and observe the interference pattern.
Single Slit Characteristics
If we use a viewing screen then we can see the single slit interference pattern. Notice that the x-axis in this case measures the angle in radians from the central line.
Our single slit interference pattern has the following key characteristics:
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A bright central maximum (approximately 20x as bright as the neighbouring maxima.
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Central maximum has double the angular width of the other maxima.
So why exactly do we observe an interference pattern with just one slit? This simulation by Geogebra shows that we have a path difference between the top of the slit and the bottom of the slit. Just like with the double slit, it is this path difference that causes our maxima and minima (bright and dark bits).
Single Slit Equation
The single slit uses θ to measure the angle from the centre line. The single slit equation is presented below. One important difference is that our angle, θ, is the angle to the first minimum (whereas in our double slit equation we measure to the first bright fringe). You can find details of the full derivation here.
This Geogebra simulation allows you to change the slit width and wavelength to look at the resulting interference pattern. You will notice that the number of maxima changes depending on these slider values.
Video Lessons
Chris Doner | Single Slit and Resolution | IB Specific | ||||
Khan Academy | Single Slit Interference | More on Single Slit |
Resources
IB Physics | Topic 9 Notes | |||||
IB-Physics.net | Chapter 9 Summary | IB Revision Notes | ||||
Isaac Physics | Single Slit | Level 6 Beyond IB | ||||
Mr. G | 9.2 Teaching Notes | 9.2 Student Notes |
Questions
Cambridge University Press | Topic 9: Add Qs | Topic 9: Add Qs MS | Topic 9: MCQs | CUP Website Link | Freely available online | |
Dr French's Eclecticon | Interference, Doppler, Polarisation | Interference, Doppler, Polarisation Solutions | Link to Dr French's Site | Extension: Pre-University Material | ||
Grade Gorilla | 9.2 (Single Slits) MCQ | Topic 9 (Waves) End Quiz | Quick IB Specific Mixed MCQs | |||
Mr. G | 9.2 Formative Assessment | Topic 9 Summary Qs | IB Specific Questions |
Link to Double Slit Diffraction
When performing the double slit experiment, the interference pattern observed often contains characteristics of both the single (bright, wider central maximum) and double slit interference (narrow bright and dark fringes) patterns.
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We often talk about a single slit 'envelope' encompassing the double slit interference pattern. THe double slit fringes are due to the separation of the two slits, whereas the single slit maxima and minima are due the width of the slit themselves.
Geogebra have a nice simulation that demonstrates the double slit interference pattern inside a single slit envelope. Vary the slider settings and see whether each variable affects the double slit interference pattern, the single slit envelope or both.
Video Lessons
Science Shorts | Comparison Basics |
Resources
IB Physics | Topic 9 Notes | |||||
IB-Physics.net | Chapter 9 Summary | IB Revision Notes | ||||
Mr. G | 9.2 Teaching Notes | 9.2 Student Notes |
Questions
Cambridge University Press | Topic 9: Add Qs | Topic 9: Add Qs MS | Topic 9: MCQs | CUP Website Link | Freely available online | |
Grade Gorilla | 9.2 (Single Slits) MCQ | Topic 9 (Waves) End Quiz | Quick IB Specific Mixed MCQs | |||
Mr. G | 9.2 Formative Assessment | Topic 9 Summary Qs | IB Specific Questions |
Additional Resources
IB Questions
A question by question breakdown of the IB papers by year is shown below to allow you to filter questions by topic. Hopefully you have access to many of these papers through your school system. If available, there may be some links to online sources of questions, though please be patient if the links are broken! (DrR: If you do find some broken links, please contact me through the site)
Questions on this topic (Section 9) are shown in royal blue.
Use this grid to practice past IB questions topic by topic. You can see from the colours how similar the question topic breakdown is year by year. The more you can familiarise yourself with the IB question style the better - eventually you will come to spot those tricks and types of questions that reappear each year.