The bright and dark bands you see in a photograph of a double slit interference pattern represent
A) the respective positions of the crests and the troughs of the light wave.
B) an interference pattern that is not present unless it is produced by the camera lens.
C) the respective positions of constructive and destructive interference of light from the two sources.
D) the respective positions of destructive and constructive interference of light from the two sources.
E) the respective positions of bright and dark particles of light.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bright and dark bands in a double slit interference pattern represent the respective positions of constructive and destructive interference of light from the two sources. This occurs when the waves from the two slits either reinforce each other (constructive interference) or cancel each other out (destructive interference) at specific points on the screen where they interfere. The pattern is not produced by the camera lens, but rather by the interference of the light waves. The positions of the crests and troughs of the light wave are not directly visible in the pattern. The choice of particles of light (option E) is not valid here as the wave-particle duality principle applies only to quantum mechanics, and not classical interference phenomena.

The Bright and Dark Bands You See in a Photograph