Light traveling through the air is typically not seen since there is nothing of substantial size in the air to reflect the light to our eyes. But what would be observed in a two-point source light interference pattern?Īs in any two-point source interference pattern, light waves from two coherent, monochromatic sources (more on coherent and monochromatic later) will interfere constructively and destructively to produce a pattern of antinodes and nodes. And there would be other locations where sound cancellation occurs and the sound intensity was relatively faint or not even heard at all (nodes). ![]() For sound waves produced by two speakers, the interference pattern would be characterized by locations where the sound intensity was large due to constructive interference (antinodes). And there would be other locations where the water was relatively undisturbed (nodes). For water waves in a ripple tank, the resulting pattern would include locations along the water's surface where water was vibrating up and down with unusually large amplitudes (antinodes). All waves behave the same, whether they are water waves created by vibrating sources in a ripple tank, sound waves produced by two speakers, or light waves produced by two light sources. The discussion of the interference patterns was introduced by referring to the interference of water waves in a ripple tank. ![]() The antinodal positions are present at locations where constructive interference always occurs and the path difference is equivalent to a whole number of wavelengths. The nodal positions are present at locations where destructive interference always occurs and the path difference is a half-number of wavelengths. ![]() Previously in Lesson 3 we have seen how circular waves from two sources can interfere in the surrounding space to produce a pattern of antinodes and nodes.
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