Diffraction of Light in Clouds

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Questions and Answers

What is the result when the crests of two light waves combine?

Optical effect

Constructive interference (correct)

Destructive interference

Diffraction pattern

What is the condition for maxima in the interference pattern at the angle θ in a diffraction grating?

d sin θbright = mλ (correct)

d cos θbright = mλ

d cos θdark = mλ

d sin θdark = mλ

What is the spacing of the slits in a diffraction grating with 5 000 lines/cm?

2 x 10-4 cm (correct)

2 x 10-3 cm

2 x 10-6 cm

2 x 10-5 cm

What is the wavelength of the monochromatic light from a helium-neon laser?

632.8 nm Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the combined effects of interference and diffraction on a screen?

Intensity pattern Signup and view all the answers

What is the optical effect that results from the diffraction of light in clouds?

Silver lining Signup and view all the answers

What is the process that occurs when a crest of one light wave and a trough of another wave combine?

Destructive interference Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a diffraction grating?

To analyze light sources Signup and view all the answers

What is the relation between the path difference CB+BD and the d and angleθ?

CB + BD = 2d sinθ Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the path difference is equal to λ or nλ?

The two rays will reinforce each other Signup and view all the answers

What is the Bragg equation used for?

Determining X-ray wavelength and analyzing crystal structure Signup and view all the answers

What is the order of the spectrum when the path difference is 2λ?

Second order Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important experimental tool in the investigation of the crystal structure of solids?

X-ray diffraction Signup and view all the answers

What is a hologram?

A photographic record of an interference pattern Signup and view all the answers

What type of waves are sound waves?

Longitudinal waves Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of any sound wave?

A vibrating object Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of moving M1 a distance of λ/4 in the Michelson interferometer?

The fringe pattern shifts by one half of a fringe Signup and view all the answers

What is the application of the Michelson interferometer in spectroscopy?

To create a higher-resolution spectrum Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when the wavelength of light is equal to the size of the opening?

The bending of light is considerable Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of spectroscopy in analyzing organic molecules?

It is used to identify the characteristics of molecules Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of moving M1 an additional distance λ/4 toward M0 in the Michelson interferometer?

The bright circle becomes a dark circle Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of diffraction?

The bending of light as it passes around the edge of an object Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)?

To create a higher-resolution spectrum in a shorter time interval Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of moving M1 a distance of λ/4 in the Michelson interferometer on the fringe pattern?

The fringe pattern shifts by one half of a fringe Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Light Diffraction and Interference

Diffracted light is bent around atmospheric particles, commonly tiny water droplets in clouds, producing fringes of light, dark or colored bands.
Diffraction can cause an optical effect known as the silver lining around clouds or coronas surrounding the sun or moon.
Light is bent around small droplets in the cloud due to diffraction, resulting in fringes of light, dark or colored bands.

Interference Pattern

The interference pattern is produced through the interference of light waves.
If crests of two waves combine, an amplified wave is produced (constructive interference), while a crest and a trough cancel each other out (destructive interference).

Diffraction Grating

A diffraction grating consists of a large number of equally spaced parallel slits, used to analyze light sources.
The intensity of the pattern on the screen is the result of the combined effects of interference and diffraction.
The condition for maxima in the interference pattern at the angle θ is d sin θ = mλ, m = 0, ±1, ±2,...

Bragg's Law

Bragg's law, derived by W.L. Bragg, is used to determine X-ray wavelength and analyze crystal structures: nλ = 2d sinθ.
X-ray diffraction is crucial in investigating crystal structures, determining atomic spacing, and studying the structures of liquids and organic molecules.

Hologram

A hologram is a photographic record of an interference pattern formed by light scattered from an object and light coming directly from the source.
When properly illuminated, a hologram forms a true three-dimensional image of the object.

Sound Waves

Sound waves are longitudinal waves traveling through a medium, such as air, and are produced by a vibrating object.
A tuning fork, consisting of two metal tines, vibrates when struck, producing sound waves.

Michelson Interferometer

The Michelson interferometer is used to measure the wavelength of light and mirror displacements with high accuracy.
The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is an application of the Michelson interferometer, used to identify the characteristics of atoms or molecules in a sample.

Diffraction and Spectroscopy

Diffraction is the bending of light as it passes around the edge of an object, with the amount of bending depending on the relative size of the wavelength of light to the size of the opening.
Spectroscopy is the study of the wavelength distribution of radiation from a sample, used to identify the characteristics of atoms or molecules.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of diffraction of light in clouds, including the bending of light around small droplets and the formation of fringes and coronas.