Question

Give any two differences between the interference pattern obtained in Young's double-slit experiment and a diffraction pattern due to a single slit.

Hint:

In Young's double-slit experiment, the interference pattern shows equally spaced bright bands, whereas the diffraction pattern shows varying intensity of maxima and minima.

Answer 1

The interference pattern obtained in Young's double-slit experiment has equally spaced bright bands, with constant intensity. In contrast, the diffraction pattern from a single slit shows maxima and minima, where the maxima become weaker on either side of the central maximum. \begin{table}[h] \centering \small % Reduce font size \renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.1} \begin{tabular}{|l|l|} \hline Interference & Diffraction
\hline 1. Bands are equally spaced. & 1. Bands are not equally spaced.
\hline 2. Intensity of bright bands is the same. & 2. Intensity of maxima decreases on either side of the central maxima.
\hline 3. First maxima is at an angle \( \lambda / a \). & 3. First minima is at an angle \( \lambda / a \).
\hline \end{tabular} \caption{\small Differences between Interference and Diffraction} \end{table}