Question:medium

In Young's double-slit experiment, interference fringes are obtained on a screen placed at a distance of $75\text{ cm}$ from the slits. When the separation between the two narrow slits is doubled, the fringe width decreases. In order to maintain the initial fringe width, the screen should be moved through a distance of

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Look directly at the proportionality: $\beta \propto \frac{D}{d}$. If you double the value in the denominator ($d$), you must exactly double the value in the numerator ($D$) to keep the overall fraction unchanged. Doubling $75\text{ cm}$ gives $150\text{ cm}$, meaning you added exactly $75\text{ cm}$ to the distance!
Updated On: Jun 4, 2026
  • $150\text{ cm}$ away from the slits
  • $75\text{ cm}$ towards the slits
  • $75\text{ cm}$ away from the slits
  • $150\text{ cm}$ towards the slits
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the question.
In Young's experiment the screen is $75$ cm from the slits. The slit separation is doubled, which makes the fringes thinner. We find how far to move the screen to bring the fringe width back to its first value.
Step 2: Recall the fringe width formula.
The fringe width is \[ \beta = \frac{\lambda D}{d}, \] where $D$ is the slit-to-screen distance and $d$ is the slit separation.
Step 3: See the effect of doubling $d$.
If $d$ becomes $2d$, the fringe width becomes $\frac{\lambda D}{2d}$, which is half of the original. The fringes get narrower.
Step 4: Decide how to restore $\beta$.
To keep $\beta$ the same while $d$ doubled, $D$ must also double, because $\beta$ depends on the ratio $\frac{D}{d}$. So the new screen distance is $2\times75 = 150$ cm.
Step 5: Find the distance moved.
The screen moves from $75$ cm to $150$ cm, a change of \[ 150 - 75 = 75\ \text{cm}. \] Since the distance increases, the screen moves away from the slits.
Step 6: State the answer.
The screen should be moved $75$ cm away from the slits. \[ \boxed{75\ \text{cm away from the slits}} \]
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