Exam-style question
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How does the interference pattern in Young's double-slit experiment demonstrate the wave nature of light?.
- A.By showing light can be absorbed
- B.By creating alternating bright and dark fringes
- C.By reflecting light at different angles
- D.By bending light around obstacles
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- By creating alternating bright and dark fringes
Explanation
Why this works
The cause is the coherent light source illuminating two closely spaced slits. The mechanism is that the light waves emanating from the slits overlap and interfere with each other, resulting in regions of constructive interference (bright fringes) and destructive interference (dark fringes).
The effect is the visible pattern on the screen, which confirms that light exhibits wave-like properties.
Common mistake
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