Call Now to Set Up Tutoring:

(888) 888-0446

GRE Subject Test: Physics : Interference

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Physics

Create An Account

All GRE Subject Test: Physics Resources

33 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Interference

A double slit experiment is set up with the following parameters: two slits are a separated by a distance $\displaystyle d$. A beam of light with wavelength $\lambda$ $\displaystyle \lambda$ shines through the two slits, and is projected onto a screen a distance $\displaystyle L$ from the slits. What is the distance on the screen between the central band and the next band on either side? (This distance is marked '$\displaystyle x$' on the figure).

Slit

Possible Answers:

$x=\frac{2L\lambda}{d}$ $\displaystyle x=\frac{2L\lambda}{d}$

$x=\frac{L^2\lambda}{d^2}$ $\displaystyle x=\frac{L^2\lambda}{d^2}$

$x=\frac{L\lambda}{d}$ $\displaystyle x=\frac{L\lambda}{d}$

$x=\frac{L^2\lambda}{2d^2}$ $\displaystyle x=\frac{L^2\lambda}{2d^2}$

$x=\frac{2L^2\lambda}{d^2}$ $\displaystyle x=\frac{2L^2\lambda}{d^2}$

Correct answer:

$x=\frac{L\lambda}{d}$ $\displaystyle x=\frac{L\lambda}{d}$

Explanation:

The condition for constructive interference with double slit diffraction is given by:

$d\sin(\theta)=m\lambda$ $\displaystyle d\sin(\theta)=m\lambda$

Where $\displaystyle m$ is 0, 1, 2, ...

Solving for the angle and using the small angle approximation, we get;

$\sin(\theta)=\frac{m\lambda}{d}\approx \theta$ $\displaystyle \sin(\theta)=\frac{m\lambda}{d}\approx \theta$

The distance $\displaystyle x$ in the diagram can be related to the other quantities by simple geometry:

$\tan (\theta)=\frac{x}{L}\approx \theta$ $\displaystyle \tan (\theta)=\frac{x}{L}\approx \theta$

Again, with the help of the small angle approximation. Setting the two thetas equal to each other and solving for $\displaystyle x$, we get:

$x=\frac{Lm\lambda}{d}$ $\displaystyle x=\frac{Lm\lambda}{d}$

For the central band, m=0 $\displaystyle m=0$, so the $\displaystyle x$ position is also zero. The next band, m=1 $\displaystyle m=1$, yields a distance of:

$x=\frac{L\lambda}{d}$ $\displaystyle x=\frac{L\lambda}{d}$

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Interference

Two waves with frequencies: $f_1=6 \textup{ MHz}, \ f_2=2 \textup{ MHz}$ $\displaystyle f_1=6 \textup{ MHz}, \ f_2=2 \textup{ MHz}$ are combined. What is the frequency of the resulting beat?

Possible Answers:

$4\textup{ MHz}$ $\displaystyle 4\textup{ MHz}$

$2\sqrt{10} \textup{ MHz}$ $\displaystyle 2\sqrt{10} \textup{ MHz}$

$8 \textup{ MHz}$ $\displaystyle 8 \textup{ MHz}$

$12\: \textup{MHz}$ $\displaystyle 12\: \textup{MHz}$

$3 \textup{ MHz}$ $\displaystyle 3 \textup{ MHz}$

Correct answer:

$4\textup{ MHz}$ $\displaystyle 4\textup{ MHz}$

Explanation:

The beat from two combined sound waves is:

$f_{beat}=|f_1-f_2|$ $\displaystyle f_{beat}=|f_1-f_2|$

$f_{beat}=|6000-2000|=4\textup{ MHz}$ $\displaystyle f_{beat}=|6000-2000|=4\textup{ MHz}$

Report an Error

View Tutors

Yoonsik
Certified Tutor

Seoul National University, Bachelor of Science, Physics. University of Pennsylvania, Doctor of Philosophy, Atomic and Molecul...

View Tutors

Christopher
Certified Tutor

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Science, Physics. University of Washington, Master of Science, Physics.

View Tutors

Nafis
Certified Tutor

University of Leipzig, Germany., Bachelor of Science, Physics. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, Doctor of Philosop...

All GRE Subject Test: Physics Resources

33 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Popular Subjects

SSAT Tutors in Los Angeles, Computer Science Tutors in Boston, Computer Science Tutors in San Diego, SAT Tutors in Washington DC, Chemistry Tutors in Chicago, GRE Tutors in New York City, Calculus Tutors in Washington DC, ISEE Tutors in Seattle, Algebra Tutors in Atlanta, Spanish Tutors in Denver

Popular Courses & Classes

MCAT Courses & Classes in Chicago, ACT Courses & Classes in Miami, Spanish Courses & Classes in Phoenix, ACT Courses & Classes in Philadelphia, SSAT Courses & Classes in Dallas Fort Worth, ACT Courses & Classes in Boston, ACT Courses & Classes in Atlanta, SSAT Courses & Classes in Houston, LSAT Courses & Classes in Denver, ACT Courses & Classes in Chicago

Popular Test Prep

LSAT Test Prep in Atlanta, SAT Test Prep in New York City, ISEE Test Prep in New York City, ACT Test Prep in Boston, LSAT Test Prep in Houston, ISEE Test Prep in San Diego, ISEE Test Prep in Los Angeles, GRE Test Prep in Atlanta, MCAT Test Prep in Miami, GRE Test Prep in Dallas Fort Worth

DMCA Complaint

If you believe that content available by means of the Website (as defined in our Terms of Service) infringes one or more of your copyrights, please notify us by providing a written notice (“Infringement Notice”) containing the information described below to the designated agent listed below. If Varsity Tutors takes action in response to an Infringement Notice, it will make a good faith attempt to contact the party that made such content available by means of the most recent email address, if any, provided by such party to Varsity Tutors.

Your Infringement Notice may be forwarded to the party that made the content available or to third parties such as ChillingEffects.org.

Please be advised that you will be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is infringing your copyrights. Thus, if you are not sure content located on or linked-to by the Website infringes your copyright, you should consider first contacting an attorney.

Please follow these steps to file a notice:

You must include the following:

A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf; An identification of the copyright claimed to have been infringed; A description of the nature and exact location of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright, in \ sufficient detail to permit Varsity Tutors to find and positively identify that content; for example we require a link to the specific question (not just the name of the question) that contains the content and a description of which specific portion of the question – an image, a link, the text, etc – your complaint refers to; Your name, address, telephone number and email address; and A statement by you: (a) that you believe in good faith that the use of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright is not authorized by law, or by the copyright owner or such owner’s agent; (b) that all of the information contained in your Infringement Notice is accurate, and (c) under penalty of perjury, that you are either the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf.

Send your complaint to our designated agent at:

Charles Cohn Varsity Tutors LLC
101 S. Hanley Rd, Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63105

Or fill out the form below:

Do not fill in this field

Contact Information

* Full legal name

Company name

* Phone number

* Email address

Address

* Address1

Address2

* City

* State

* Zipcode

* Country

Complaint Details

* URL of copyrighted work (where your original material is located)

* Please describe the copyrighted work so that it may be easily identified

I am the owner, or an agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

I have a good faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

This notification is accurate.

I acknowledge that there may be adverse legal consequences for making false or bad faith allegations of copyright infringement by using this process.

* Signature (your digital signature is legally binding)

HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATE SCHOOL

K-8

Search 50+ Tests

math tutoring

science tutoring

foreign languages

elementary tutoring

other

Search 350+ Subjects

GRE Subject Test: Physics : Interference

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Physics

All GRE Subject Test: Physics Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Interference

Example Question #1 : Interference

All GRE Subject Test: Physics Resources

Report an issue with this question

DMCA Complaint

Contact Information

Address

Complaint Details

Email address:
Your name:
Feedback: