Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 22 - Wave Optics - Conceptual Questions - Page 648: 10

Answer

The central spot remains bright.

Work Step by Step

If the Michelson interferometer produces a bright central spot, then the path length difference must be $~~n~\lambda~~$ for some integer $n$ Suppose the light wavelength is changed to $\frac{\lambda}{2}$ Note that the path length difference is $~~(2n)~(\frac{\lambda}{2}),~~$ where $2n$ is an integer since $n$ is an integer Therefore, the central spot remains bright.
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