Question:hard

In Young's double slit experiment, in an interference pattern, a minimum is observed exactly in front of one slit. The distance between the two coherent sources is $d$ and $D$ is the distance between the source and screen. The possible wavelengths used are inversely proportional to

Show Hint

Whenever you see a question involving a "minimum" (dark fringe) in an interference setup, look for odd integer sequences ($1, 3, 5, \dots$) in the solutions. Destructive interference is inherently tied to half-wavelength path differences, which naturally maps to odd multiples.
Updated On: Jun 11, 2026
  • $D, 5D, 9D, \dots$
  • $D, 3D, 5D, \dots$
  • $3D, 4D, 5D, \dots$
  • $3D, 7D, 10D, \dots$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Set up the geometry.
In Young's experiment the two slits are separated by $d$ and the screen sits a distance $D$ away. We want the path setup for a point that lies straight ahead of one slit.
Step 2: Locate the point.
The centre of the pattern lies on the perpendicular bisector of the two slits. A point directly in front of one slit is shifted from that centre by half the slit spacing, so $y = \dfrac{d}{2}$.
Step 3: Apply the dark fringe condition.
A minimum forms when the path difference is an odd multiple of half a wavelength, which on the screen reads \[ y = (2n-1)\frac{\lambda D}{2d}, \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \dots \]
Step 4: Insert the position.
Replace $y$ with $\dfrac{d}{2}$: \[ \frac{d}{2} = (2n-1)\frac{\lambda D}{2d}. \]
Step 5: Solve for the wavelength.
Cancel the common factor of $2$ and rearrange: \[ d^2 = (2n-1)\lambda D \;\Rightarrow\; \lambda = \frac{d^2}{(2n-1)D}. \]
Step 6: Read off the sequence.
Putting $n = 1, 2, 3, \dots$ gives the odd numbers $1, 3, 5, \dots$ multiplying $D$, so $\lambda \propto \dfrac{1}{(2n-1)D}$. The wavelengths are inversely proportional to $D, 3D, 5D, \dots$ Well done, that matches option (B). \[ \boxed{\lambda \propto \frac{1}{D,\,3D,\,5D,\dots}} \]
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