YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT

EXPERIMENT
Physical chemistry
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Young's double slit Experiment

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 Mansoor ()
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Background
• This experiment depends on the question what is nature
of light?
• For the finding the answer of the question they perform
many experiments and give many theory.
• For example we have 2 examples.

NEWTON’S CORPUSCULAR THEORY OF LIGHT

• Newton’s theory states that light is made up of small
discrete particles called “corpuscles” (little particles) which
travel in a straight line with a finite velocity and possess
impetus.
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• Limitations of Newton’s Particle Model: Newton’s

theory cannot explain partial refraction and partial
reflection, different colors of light, interference and
diffraction.

Huygens’ Wave Model of Light

• Huygens’ model of light assumes light behaves as a
longitudinal wave.
• Huygens’ theory can explain most of the properties of light
including refraction, reflection, partial refraction and
reflection, as well as diffraction.
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How can we say that Light has Particle

Nature or Wave Nature?

• Light Has Both Natures

• Particle Nature
• Wave Nature
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Photoelectric effect

Particle
Compton effect
Nature

Pair production

If we Study about these Parameters we can Say that Light has a Particle Nature.
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interference

Wave
Nature

diffraction
Polarization

If we Study these about Parameters we can Say that Light has a Wave Nature.
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Now Young’s Double Slit Experiment

• This experiment was conducted by an English physicist

Thomas young, in 1801.

• Thomas Young performed the experiment to demonstrate
the wave theory of light.
• which was a controversial idea at the time.

• He aimed to challenge the prevailing corpuscular theory of

light, which held that light consisted of tiny particles.

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• Young's double slit experiment uses two coherent sources

of light placed a small distance apart, usually, a only few
orders of magnitude greater than the wavelength of light
are used.

• Young's double slit experiment helped in understanding

the wave theory of light, which is explained with the help
of a diagram.
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DIAGRAM Of Young’s Experiment

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Continued…
• 1. Source of Light: Light Must be Monochromatic, Means
single Color Light.
• 2. Slit Plate: The light passes through a plate with two
parallel slits, creating two coherent light sources.
• 3. Screen: The light then falls on a screen, creating an
interference pattern.
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Fringes
• there are two types of fringes are appeared on the screen
• Bright: where light reaches, it shows the maxima
intensity.
• Dark: where light not reached, it shows the minima
intensity.
• In young's experiment central fringe always bright.
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Interference
• Such two waves having same frequencies traveling at
same time and in same direction superpose.
• Overlapping of two waves.

• Constructive
interference
Interference • Destructive
interference
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Two types of interference

• Constructive interference; when crests or troughs of two light

waves reach at a point simultaneously they support each other due

to which brightness is seen on the screen.
• This phenomenon is called the constructive interference in this

phenomenon intensity of resultant wave increases.

• Destructive interference; when crest of one wave & trough of other

waves reach at a point simultaneously they cancel the effect of each

other due to which darkness is seen on the screen.
• This phenomenon is called the destructive interference in this

phenomenon intensity of resultant wave decreases.

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Bright fringe & dark fringe

• there are two types of fringes are appeared on the
screen.

• Bright: where light reaches, it shows the maxima

intensity, or bright fringes are result of constructive
interference.

• Dark: where light not reached, it shows the minima

intensity or dark fringes are result of destructive
interference.
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Path difference
• Extra distance covered by one wave from other wave is
called path difference.
• Path difference in constructive interference: if crust &
crust, troughs & troughs of two waves are on same
position, we can say there is constructive interference.
• Path difference in destructive interference: if crust meets
troughs and troughs meet crust.
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• In constructive interference the path difference will one we

show that with “λ” lemda, if two or three we write, 2λ,3λ.
• Formula; path difference= mλ

• In destructive interference the path difference is

denoted by λ/2 and λ+ λ/2.
• Formula; path difference= mλ+ λ/2
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Derivation (Diagram)
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• consider two narrow slits S1 and S2 separated by small

distance “D” from each other.
• A screen is placed at Distance L from the slits to observe
the interference pattern.
• Difference from central(C)fringe to point(P) fringe is
shown by (Y).
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Fringe width / fringe spacing

• Distance between two consective bright or dark firinges is
called fringe spacing.
• Formula (Δx = λL).

fringe space/ distance

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Applications
• 1. Optics: Understanding light’s wave-particle duality,
diffraction, and interference.
• 2. Spectroscopy: Analyzing light spectra, identifying
molecules, and studying atomic structures.
• 3. Holography: Recording wave patterns to create three-
dimensional images.
• 4. Lasers: Controlling light’s phase and amplitude for
applications like cutting, welding, and medicine.
• 5. Fiber Optics: Transmitting data as light signals through
thin glass or plastic fibers.
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• 6.Microscopy: Enhancing resolution and contrast in

imaging tiny objects and structures.
• 7. Telescopes: Correcting for diffraction limitations and
enhancing image quality.
• 8. Quantum Mechanics: Demonstrating wave-particle
duality, superposition, and entanglement.
• 9. Materials Science: Studying crystal structures, defects,
and optical properties.
• 10. Biomedical Research: Analyzing biomolecules, cells,
and tissues using spectroscopy and microscopy.
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conclusion
• Young’s Double Slit Experiment demonstrates the wave
nature of light, showing that light can exhibit both wave-
like and particle-like behavior depending on how it is
observed.
• The experiment’s results, characterized by an interference
pattern of bright and dark bands on the screen, confirm
the principle of superposition and the concept of wave-
particle duality.
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THANKS