Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 35 - Interference - Problems - Page 1077: 55a

Answer

$\lambda = 552~nm$

Work Step by Step

Note that light in the visible range has a wavelength of approximately $400~nm$ to $700~nm$ Let $n_1 = 1.00$ be the index of refraction of air Let $n_2 = 1.20$ be the index of refraction of kerosene Let $n_3 = 1.30$ be the index of refraction of water Since $n_2 \gt n_1$, there is a phase shift of $\frac{1}{2}~\lambda$ of the reflected ray due to reflection from the top surface of the kerosene layer. Since $n_3 \gt n_2$, there is a phase shift of $\frac{1}{2}~\lambda$ of the ray due to reflection from the bottom surface of the kerosene layer. Since we are looking for a maximum (constructive interference), the path length difference must be $~~(m)~\frac{\lambda}{n_2}~~$, where $m$ is an integer. We can find the required wavelength $\lambda$: $2L = \frac{(m)~\lambda}{n_2},$ where $m$ is an integer $\lambda = \frac{2~L~n_2}{(m)}$ $\lambda = \frac{(2)~(460~nm)~(1.20)}{(m)}$ $\lambda = \frac{1104~nm}{(m)}$ $\lambda = 1104~nm, 552~nm, 368~nm,...$ Since $552~nm$ is in the visible range, $~~\lambda = 552~nm$
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