Friday, May 28, 2010

Diffraction with wider slits

These pictures show what happens if we repeat diffraction with wider slits. Notice that the waves no longer bend round as far. This means that the area of overlap in which interference can occur is reduced. This means fewer fringes are seen. (In the second picture, I've dotted the fringes that are lost). But notice that the fringes that remain still have the same spacing.