Introduction to Light Interference

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written by Michael Davidson
published by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

This item is an interactive tutorial on the topic of interference of light waves. It introduces the user to constructive and destructive interference patterns through models that include soap bubbles and butterfly wings. It also includes a detailed look at Young's double slit experiment, Newton's Rings experiment, and hologram interference. The related Java simulation allows users to further explore the double-slit experiment by adjusting the distance between slits.

This item is part of a larger collection of materials for students of introductory optics on the topic of light and color. SEE RELATED ITEMS on this page for a link to the full collection.

Please note that this resource requires Java.

http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/principles-o...

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Optics - Interference	- High School - Lower Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Interactive Simulation = Tutorial - Reference Material

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Physical Science - Physics First - Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Activity - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended Users:: Educator
Learner
Formats:: text/html
application/java
Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2003 National High Magnetic Field Laboratory-2003
Keywords:: Simulations, Young, Young's experiment, constructive interference, destructive interference, diffraction, double-slit, hologram, light, light waves, optics, tutorials
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created May 26, 2009 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: August 2, 2016 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: December 28, 2007

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This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.

Topic: Nature and Behavior of Light
Unit Title: The Wave Nature of Light

Interactive Tutorial Grades 11-12
Most of us see examples of light wave interference every day without realizing it: the thin film of a soap bubble, reflections from the surface of a compact disc, and the wings of a diamond beetle. This tutorial uses simple models to introduce students to constructive and destructive interference patterns. The section on Young's double-slit experiment is especially well done. Appropriate for high school physics.

Link to Unit:

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=9003">Davidson, Michael. Introduction to Light Interference. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, December 28, 2007.</a>

AIP Format

M. Davidson, (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, 2003), WWW Document, (http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/principles-of-interference).

AJP/PRST-PER

M. Davidson, Introduction to Light Interference (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, 2003), <http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/principles-of-interference>.

APA Format

Davidson, M. (2007, December 28). Introduction to Light Interference. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from National High Magnetic Field Laboratory: http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/principles-of-interference

Chicago Format

Davidson, Michael. Introduction to Light Interference. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, December 28, 2007. http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/principles-of-interference (accessed 2 December 2024).

MLA Format

Davidson, Michael. Introduction to Light Interference. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 2003. 28 Dec. 2007. 2 Dec. 2024 <http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/principles-of-interference>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Author = "Michael Davidson", Title = {Introduction to Light Interference}, Publisher = {National High Magnetic Field Laboratory}, Volume = {2024}, Number = {2 December 2024}, Month = {December 28, 2007}, Year = {2003} }

Refer Export Format

%A Michael Davidson %T Introduction to Light Interference %D December 28, 2007 %I National High Magnetic Field Laboratory %C Tallahassee %U http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/principles-of-interference %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %D December 28, 2007 %T Introduction to Light Interference %I National High Magnetic Field Laboratory %V 2024 %N 2 December 2024 %8 December 28, 2007 %9 text/html %U http://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/polarized-light/principles-of-interference

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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

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