Young's Experiment Activity Help
Changing Slit-Separation Distance:
The distance between the slits which are used to create the two-point source interference pattern can be set to one of four pre-determined values. These pre-determined values can be selected using the pull-down menu present in the middle of the interface. Possible values for the slit-separation distance are 0.00025 m, 0.00030 m, 0.00040 m, and 0.00050 m. The pull down menu is activated by clicking on the current value of the slit-separation distance.
Changing the Slit-to-Screen Distance:
The distance between the slits
and the screen can be changed by clicking on one of the Move
Screen arrow buttons present in the middle of the interface.
Click the left arrow to move the screen closer to the slits. Click on
the right arrow to move the screen further from the slits.
Changing the Wavelength:
The wavelength of the light
waves can be changed by clicking on one of the Modify
buttons present in the middle
of the interface. Click the up arrow to increase the wavelength. Click
on the down arrow to decrease the wavelength. Click on the Random
button to set the wavelength to a randomly-generated value.
Measuring the Slit-to-Screen Distance:
All directions for measuring
the slit-to-screen distance are provided on the screen. Begin by
clicking on the Measure L button at the top-right
side of the interface. To measure the distance between the two slits
and the screen (L), you will have to first click on the slits; then
click on the screen. Prompts will be provided in the grey directions
box which will appear below the Top View section of the interface. Once
you have clicked on the two points, the value of L (in centimeters)
will be reported in the same grey directions box. See graphic below.
Convert this value to meters and record in your Data table. Click on
the Continue button will done.
Measuring the Band Separation Distance:
All directions for measuring
the band separation distance are provided on the screen. Begin by
clicking on the Measure Band Sep'n button at the
top-right side of the interface. To measure the distance between the
bright bands viewed on the screen (y), you will have to click on any
two points on the screen. Be sure to identify the exact points which
you clicked on so that you can determine the m value which corresponds
to the measurement which you made. Prompts will be provided in the grey
directions box which will appear above the Front View section of the
interface. Once you have clicked on the two points, the value of y (in
centimeters) corresponding to the two points you clicked will be
reported in the same grey directions box. See graphic below. Convert
this value to meters and record in your Data table. Also record the
value of m which corresponds to the measurement which you made. Click
on the Continue button will done.
Checking Your Answers for Wavelength:
Your goal is to successfully
determine the wavelength for three different set-ups. Once you have
calculated a wavelength, you can check its accuracy by clicking on the Check
Answer button which is present to the right of the Top View
section of the interface. Once this button is clicked, a text entry
field appears; the text in the field reads Type here.
Select the text and delete it; then type the wavelength value (in
nanometers) which you have calculated. You can enter your value to any
number of decimal places. Your answer must be within 2% of the correct
answer in order to receive credit. Once entered, click on the Evaluate
button. If unsure of your answer, you are allowed to cancel out by
clicking on the Cancel button.
Feedback concerning the accuracy of your answer will be provided. You are allowed three misses. On the fourth miss, you will either have to start over. Once you have successfully completed the exercise, a report and a success code will be provided. If your teacher uses success codes to verify completion of activities, then record the success code for submission.