University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 35 - Interference - Problems - Exercises - Page 1181: 35.26

Answer

$\approx$ 27 fringes per cm

Work Step by Step

We can first calculate the angle that is between the air pocket and the top glass pane: $$ \theta = sin^{-1}(\frac{0.0740mm}{8.35cm}) \approx8,9\cdot 10^{-4} rad $$ Now, we can say that each fringe will occur at a distance $x$ from the start of the second glass pane. This will give us a triangle exactly like with the air pocket, but with a bottom side $x$ and the height equal to the thickness of the air pocket at a given point. Since we have one and exactly only one reflection against a medium where the index of refraction is higher (air - glass), constructive interferences occur (fringes are visible) when $$ 2nd=(m+\frac 1 2) \lambda $$ For any given fringe, according to trigonometry of the relationship established above $$ d=xtan \implies 2xtan\theta =(m+\frac 1 2) \lambda \implies x = \frac{(m+\frac 1 2)\lambda}{2tan\theta} $$ Taking the difference between two fringes next to each other: $$ \Delta x = x_{2}- x_1 = \frac{(m+\frac 3 2)\lambda}{2tan\theta} - \frac{(m+\frac 1 2)\lambda}{2tan\theta} = \frac{(m+\frac 1 2)\lambda}{2tan\theta} $$ Finally, the number of fringes per m: $$ \frac{1}{\Delta x} $$ but the question wants it in cm: $$ \frac{\frac{1}{\Delta x}}{100} \approx 27 \text{ fringes per cm} $$
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