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 - Questions - Page 1073: 7c

Answer

Therefore, the interference produces alternating maxima and minima along path 3.

Work Step by Step

We can imagine a screen set up along path 3. Then this situation is similar to the double-slit experiment. Sometimes the path length difference to the points along path 3 will be $\Delta L = m\lambda$ Sometimes the path length difference to the points along path 3 will be $\Delta L = (m+\frac{1}{2})~\lambda$ Sometimes the path length difference to the points along path 3 will be in an intermediate state. Therefore, the interference produces alternating maxima and minima along path 3.
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