What is demonstrated by Young's double-slit experiment?

What is demonstrated by Young's double-slit experiment?

• A. The particle nature of light
• B. The wave nature of light through interference
• C. The behavior of light in a vacuum
• D. The reflection of light from surfaces

Answer: (B)

Young's double-slit experiment demonstrates the wave nature of light through interference. In this iconic experiment, light is shone through two closely spaced slits, creating an interference pattern on a screen behind the slits. The pattern consists of alternating bright and dark fringes, which result from constructive and destructive interference of light waves emanating from the two slits. When light waves pass through the slits, they spread out and overlap. Where the peaks of the waves align, they reinforce each other, producing bright spots. Conversely, where a peak aligns with a trough, they cancel each other out, generating dark spots. This behavior can only be explained by considering light as a wave, as particles would not produce such a pattern. The results of this experiment were critical in demonstrating that light behaves not just as a stream of particles, but rather exhibits wave-like properties, fundamentally changing our understanding of light and leading to further developments in physics and optics.

Young's double-slit experiment demonstrates the wave nature of light through interference. In this iconic experiment, light is shone through two closely spaced slits, creating an interference pattern on a screen behind the slits. The pattern consists of alternating bright and dark fringes, which result from constructive and destructive interference of light waves emanating from the two slits.

When light waves pass through the slits, they spread out and overlap. Where the peaks of the waves align, they reinforce each other, producing bright spots. Conversely, where a peak aligns with a trough, they cancel each other out, generating dark spots. This behavior can only be explained by considering light as a wave, as particles would not produce such a pattern.

The results of this experiment were critical in demonstrating that light behaves not just as a stream of particles, but rather exhibits wave-like properties, fundamentally changing our understanding of light and leading to further developments in physics and optics.