Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 24 - The Wave Nature of Light - Questions - Page 706: 7

Answer

The light sources are not coherent enough and are too far apart.

Work Step by Step

Car headlights are not coherent light sources, meaning that the phase relationship between the emitted light beams is randomly changing. Furthermore, the spacing d between the headlights is so large that the angle $\theta$ would be vanishingly small. The fringes would be far too close together to be resolved.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.