What does one observe on the screen in a Young's experiment if white light illuminates the double slit instead of light of a single wavelength?
A)a white central fringe and no other fringes
B)a dark central fringe and a series of alternating white and dark fringes on each side of the center
C)a white central fringe and a series of colored and dark fringes on each side of the center
D)a continuous band of colors with no dark fringes anywhere
E)a dark screen since no constructive interference can occur

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When white light illuminates the double slit, each color component with a different wavelength undergoes interference differently. So, different colors will interfere constructively and destructively at different positions on the screen, resulting in a series of colored and dark fringes on each side of the center. The central fringe will still appear white as it is formed by the overlapping of all colors.

What Does One Observe on the Screen in a Young's