Overview

Interference and diffraction are common phenomena

intrinsic to wave propagation. Interference refers to
the effects caused by the coherent addition of wave
amplitudes that travel different paths. If such
waves are in phase, the light intensity is enhanced;
conversely if they are out of phase, the light is
attenuated. Diffraction is the result of wave
propagation that spreads a beam of light from a
straight linear path. The origin of the two
phenomena is, in any case, exactly the same.
The figure to the left shows water waves passing
through gaps between some rocks. You can easily
see that the gaps are similar in width to the
wavelength of the waves and that this causes an
interference pattern as the waves pass beyond the
gaps. A cross-section across the waves in the
foreground would show the crests and troughs
characteristic of an interference pattern.
Aim:

To study the phenomenon of

Interference and Diffraction and
to calculate the slit spacing of
tracks on a CD (Generally
distance between tracks on a CD
= 1600nm).

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Materials Required:

A CD, a light source (sunlight,

a candle or a torch light), Ruler, A
white screen, a measuring tape.

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Theory:

The fact that the wavelength of light of one color,

or monochromatic light, can be calculated from its two-
slit diffraction pattern in Young’s experiments supports
the conclusion that light has wave properties. To
understand the basis of such calculations, consider how
two waves travel from the slits to the screen. Each slit
is a different distance from a given point on the screen.
Thus different numbers of wavelengths fit into each
path.
Waves start out from the slits in phase (crest to
crest), but they will end up out of phase (crest to
trough) at the screen if the paths differ in length by
half a wavelength, interfering destructively. If the paths
differ by a whole wavelength, then the waves arrive in
phase (crest to crest) at the screen, interfering
constructively.
More generally, if the paths taken by the two waves
𝟏
differ by any half-integral number of wavelengths ( λ,
𝟐
𝟑 𝟓
𝛌, 𝛌, 𝒆𝒕𝒄) then destructive interference occurs.
𝟐 𝟐
Similarly, if the paths taken by the two waves differ by
any integral number of wavelengths (λ, 2λ, 3λ, etc)
then 4constructive interference occurs.
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Figure to the left shows how to determine the path-

length difference for waves traveling from two slits to a
common point on a screen. If the screen is a large
distance away compared with the distance between the
slits, then the angle θ between the path and a line from
the slits perpendicular to the screen (see the figure) is
nearly the same for each path. That approximation and
simple trigonometry show the length difference, ΔL, to
be dsinθ, where d is the distance between the slits,
ΔL = dsinθ

To obtain constructive interference for a double slit, the

path-length difference must be an integral multiple of
the wavelength, or

dsinθ = mλ, for m=0, 1,−1,2,−2,…(constructive).

Similarly, to obtain destructive interference for a double
slit, the path-length difference must be a half-integral
multiple of the wavelength, or

dsinθ = (m+½)λ, for m=0,1,−1,2,−2,…(destructive).

The number m is the order of the interference.

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Procedure

1. Hold the CD in direct sunlight near the wall,

and move it around until a circular rainbow
pattern appears on the screen.
2. Measure the distance from the CD to the
wall and the distance from the center of the
circular pattern to a color in the rainbow.
Use those two distances to calculate tanθ.
Hence find sinθ.
3. Look up the wavelength of the color you
chose. That is λ.
4. Solve dsinθ=mλ for d.

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Observations:
Order of interference (m) = _____

S Wavelength Distance of Distance from the Sin θ = Distance

No of the color in CD from the center of the 𝑟 between
the rainbow screen (x) pattern to a color √𝑥 2 +𝑟 2 tracks d =
(λ) ( in nm) (in cm) in the rainbow (r) mλ/sin θ
(in cm) (in nm)
1.

2.

Average distance between the tracks on the CD

= _____ + _____ / 2

= _________ nm

Conclusion:
Hence the measured value (______nm) is approximately
equal to the required value (1600 nm).

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 Bibliography
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference
 https://www.texasgateway.org/resource/1
71-understanding-diffraction-and-interference
 H.C Verma – Concepts of Physics
 Modern’s abc in Physics (Class XII)

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Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to
my Physics teacher, Mrs. Deepa for giving me
the wonderful opportunity to do a case study and
providing vital support, guidance and
encouragement throughout the project. Without
her motivation and help, the successful
completion of this project would not be possible.
Secondly I would also like to thank my friends
and family who helped me a lot in finalizing this
project within the limited time frame.
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Table of Contents
 Overview………………...…….5
 Aim of the Project…………....….6
 Materials required………..….…6
 Theory………………...….…. 7
 Procedure………………...….....8
 Observations......………...…........ 10
 Conclusion……………...….… 11
 Bibliography......………….…... 12

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