Assignment: Wave Interference

SPH4U
Grade 12 Physics
Raeann Ramlal
April 29th ,2024
Mrs. Crookshank

The title page contained the required information. 2/2

Testable Question: How is the separation between nodal lines (or dark fringes) affected by the
frequency of the light, separation of the light sources and the intensity of the light?

Hypothesis: The separation between nodal lines decreases as the frequency of the light
increases. Likewise, the separation between nodal lines increases as the distance between the
light sourcesdecreases
increases. Additionally, the separation between nodal lines increases as the intensity
(amplitude) of the light increases. When the frequency of the light is decreased, the wavelength
increases, leading to less interference. Adjusting the intensity of the light sources results in
brighter fringes since a stronger light source allows more light to reach the screen. When two 8/10
light sources are moved closer together, there is less interference, causing the width of any given
anti-node to increase. Conversely, when the two light sources are moved further apart, there is
more interference, leading to a decrease in the width of any given node. The equation λ/d = ∆x/L
represents the relationship between the wavelength (λ), the separation between two light sources
(d), the separation between two fringes (∆x), and the distance from light sources to the screen
(L).

Materials:

 Screen
 Light Intensity Meter
 2 Red Laser Lights How are you going to adjust the intensity of the light?
 2 Blue Laser Lights
 Measuring Tape

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Variables:
 Independent Variables: Frequency of Light
Separation of Light Sources
Amplitude or Intensity of Light You correctly identified most of the variables.

 Dependent Variable:
Separation between Nodal Lines (fringes)
 Controlled Variable:
Number of Light Sources
Distance between the sources and screen

Procedure:
1. The simulation was opened. The Interference Activity was selected.
2. The following options were selected: a. Light , b. Screen and c. Intensity.
3. Each light was turned on by selecting the green buttons.
4. The incoming light was changed to Red.
5. The separation between the two light sources was recorded.
6. The measuring tape was selected and dragged to the screen.
7. The separation between the two dark fringes shown on the screen was recorded(∆x).
8. Using the measuring tape, the distance from the light sources to the screen was recorded
(L).
9. The wavelength of the incoming light was changed to blue and steps 4,6 and 7 were
repeated.
10. The Amplitude/Intensity of the incoming light was adjusted and any changes in the fringe
pattern were noted.
11. The Spacing(d) of the light sources were adjusted and any changes in the fringe pattern
were noted.
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Observations:
When the amplitude of the incoming light is increased, the separation in the interference patterns
between the fringes increases, and conversely, when the amplitude is decreased, the separation
decreases. Similarly, when the spacing between the light sources is increased, the separation of
the fringes in the interference pattern decreases, and vice versa, when the spacing is decreased,
the separation increases. 2.5/3

Increasing Amplitude:

Decreasing Amplitude:
Increasing Spacing:

Decreasing Spacing:
Results:

Separation Distance from Separation Amplitude

between two the light source between two
light sources to the screen fringes (∆x)
(d) (L)
Red 1500 nm 4835.6 nm 2153.1 nm Max

Blue 1500 nm 4835.6 nm 1462.4 nm Max

As seen from the table above , the separation between dark fringes decreased when the light
wavelength changed from red to blue.

Calculations:
Red: λ=∆x × d/ L
λ= 2153.1 ×1500 / 4835.6 10/10
λ = 667.9 nm

Blue: λ=∆x × d/ L
λ= 1462.4 ×1500 / 4835.6
λ = 453.6 nm
Discussion:
Background Information:
Wave interference is a phenomenon that happens when two waves meet while traveling
through the same medium. This interference causes the medium to adopt a shape that arises from
the combined effect of the two individual waves on the particles of the medium. Interference can
be either constructive or destructive. Constructive interference occurs when two interfering
waves at a given location and time have displacement in the same direction. For instance, when
the crest of one wave coincides with the crest of another wave, they combine to produce a "super
crest." Similarly, the interference of two troughs results in a "super-trough." Destructive
interference, on the other hand, occurs when two interfering waves at a given location and time
have displacement in opposite directions. For example, when a crest meets a trough, they
interfere destructively. Destructive interference tends to decrease the overall displacement of the
medium.
When two sets of circular waves with the same frequency and amplitude interfere, they
create a standing wave pattern. These patterns, known as two-point source interference patterns,
result from the interference of circular waves originating from two sources. In a standing wave 5/6
pattern, certain points along the medium appear to be stationary and are called nodes. Nodes are
produced when destructive interference consistently occurs at the same location. At nodes, the
two waves have equal magnitudes of displacement in opposite directions, resulting in complete
destructive interference and no net displacement of the medium. In a standing wave pattern,
nodes are separated by antinodes. Antinodes are points along the medium that oscillate between
large positive and negative displacements. They arise from the constructive interference of two
waves. At anti-nodal positions, a crest coincides with a crest, creating a large positive
displacement. Shortly after, a trough coincides with a trough, resulting in a large negative
displacement. You explained the general information about wave interference. I would like to see you relate
these concepts to what is seen on the screen.
Patterns and Trends:
The results demonstrate that blue light has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency compared
to red light. Increasing the amplitude of the waves resulted in an increased separation in the
interference patterns. Additionally, the separation between nodal lines increased as the distance
between the light sourcesdecreased
increased. The wavelength directly affects the distance between the
light and dark regions in the interference pattern. Colors with longer wavelengths have more
space between these regions, while colors with shorter wavelengths have less space. 4.5/6
Consequently, as the wavelength increases, the separation between nodal lines also increases.
During the experiment, when red light was emitted, the separation between two fringes (Δx) was
measured to be 2153.1nm. On the other hand, when blue light was emitted, the separation
between two fringes (Δx) was found to be 1462.4nm. These results and observations support the
hypothesis
 Error Analysis:
Any errors that occurred or could potentially occur in this simulated lab would be attributed to 4.5/6
human error. These errors might arise from instances such as not adhering to the given
instructions accurately or misinterpreting the measurements during the experiment.
How do your calculated wavelengths compare with the ranges for those colours?
Could you have conducted more trials with different colours and measured the separation when the distance
between sources changed?
Conclusion:
The experiment was simulated to investigate the correlation between the separation of nodal
lines and factors such as the frequency, intensity of light, and separation of light sources. The 4/5
results obtained from the simulation provided confirmation that the separation of nodal lines can
be determined and influenced by the frequency of the light, separation of light sources, and the
intensity of the light. The hypothesis put forward for the experiment was validated by the
findings.

In the conclusion, make sure you are stating the relationship between each pair of variables and be
specific. Instead of just saying 'influenced' state if the separation increased or decreased.

References:
The Physics Classroom - Vibrations and Waves - Lesson 3 Behavior of Waves- Wave
Interference
[Link]

University of Connecticut-Constructive and Destructive Interference 3/3

[Link]

Remember to include in-text references.

Overall: 51.5/60 = 25.75/30