Questions
①From your data, plot a graph of meter
reading versus . Identify the angles at
which the maxima and minima of the
interference pattern occur.
②Calculate the angles at which you would expect the maxima and minima to occur in a standard twoslit diffraction pattern—maxima occur wherever d sin= n, minima occur wherever
d sin= n/2. (Check your textbook for the derivation of these equations, and use the wavelength
measured in experiment 3.) How does this compare with the locations of your observed maxima and
minima? Can you explain any discrepancies? (What assumptions are made in the derivations of the
formulas and to what extent are they met in this experiment?)
③Can you explain the relative drop in intensity for higher order maxima? Consider the single-slit diffraction pattern created by each slit. How do these single slit patterns affect the overall interference
pattern?