Design An Experiment - PhET Colorado Edu Sims

Design An Experimentgo To The Httpsphetcoloradoedusimshtmlwa

Design an experiment: Go to the ( to do the experiment choose Slits. For two slits, use the equation ????????????????(????)=???????? to predict to where on the screen the maxima will appear. Use the tape measure to verify your predictions. 10 steps to design an experiment and conduct it: 1. The purpose of the lab (can be finding more than one thing, for example wavelength of the source, the position of the 1st bright band, the intensity of the central bright band or something else. It has to be something that you can calculate theoretically, or you know the actual value, so you can compare your experimental results with. May be you can start with the theory) 2. It is useful to identify what quantities can be changed, what quantities can be measured. 3. in your experiment you need to do several trial for measurements for accuracy. 4. When conducting the experiment, you can only change one quantity at a time. 5. make a table to help yourself to collect data and collect data 6. Present data (tables or graphs) 7. Analyze the data (includes calculations of experimental values and theoretical values, error calculations) 8. Discuss your analysis, your data and your errors 9. Make a Conclusion 10. Report everything in a formal lab report format Write a 5 pages lab report and please strictly follow the example format and 10 steps to design an experiment.

Paper For Above instruction

The given task aims to explore the phenomenon of diffraction and interference through an experimental setup using a double-slit apparatus. The core objective is to predict the positions of bright maxima on a screen based on theoretical equations, verify those predictions through measurements, and analyze the data to understand the optical properties involved. The experiment will focus on determining the wavelength of the light source, a fundamental parameter that can be predicted theoretically and measured experimentally, thus providing a basis for comparing real-world data with theoretical models.

Theoretical Background and Purpose:

The interference pattern generated by a double-slit arrangement is described by the equation:

ymax = (mλL)/d

where ymax is the position of the maximum on the screen, m is the order of the maximum, λ is the wavelength of the light, L is the distance from the slits to the screen, and d is the slit separation. The purpose of this experiment is to measure the positions of the bright fringes (maxima) for different orders, compare these values with theoretical predictions, and calculate the wavelength of the source.

Step 1: Define the Purpose of the Lab

The primary purpose of this lab is to determine the wavelength of the light source using the interference pattern produced by a double-slit setup. Additional objectives include verifying the theoretical relationship between slit separation, fringe position, and wavelength, and understanding experimental limitations and sources of error.

Step 2: Identify Quantities to Change and Measure

  • Quantities to change: Slit separation (d) and wavelength (if using multiple sources), distance from the slits to the screen (L).
  • Quantities to measure: Positions of bright fringes (ymax), the order of maxima (m).

Step 3: Conduct Multiple Trials

To obtain accurate and reliable data, multiple measurements of fringes will be taken for each configuration, and averages will be calculated to reduce random errors.

Step 4: Change One Quantity at a Time

During the experiment, the slit separation and the distance L will be varied in separate trials, ensuring only one parameter changes at a time to isolate effects.

Step 5: Data Collection Table

Trial Slit separation d (mm) Distance to screen L (m) Order m Position of maxima ymax (mm) Calculated λ (nm)
1 0.2 1.0 1 15

Step 6: Present Data

Data will be organized into tables, with mean values for fringe positions at each order. Graphs plotting ymax versus m will be generated to visualize linearity and consistency.

Step 7: Data Analysis

Using the measured fringe positions, the wavelength is calculated via the rearranged equation:

λ = (d × ymax) / (m × L)

Experimental and theoretical values will be compared, and percent errors will be calculated to assess accuracy.

Step 8: Discuss Analysis, Errors, and Limitations

Sources of error include measurement inaccuracies in fringe position, slit separation, or distance L. Parallax errors and imperfections in slit quality can influence results. These errors will be quantified, and their impact on the final wavelength determination will be discussed.

Step 9: Conclusion

The experiment should confirm the theoretical relationship between fringe position and wavelength, leading to an accurate estimate of the light source’s wavelength. The findings will demonstrate how experimental uncertainties influence measurement reliability.

Step 10: Report in a Formal Lab Format

The final report will include sections such as Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References, following standard scientific report guidelines, with all data, calculations, and analysis presented clearly.

References

  • Hecht, E. (2017). Optics (5th ed.). Pearson.
  • Serway, R., & Jewett, J. (2014). Physics for Scientists and Engineers. Brooks Cole.
  • Young, H. D., & Freedman, R. A. (2019). University Physics with Modern Physics. Pearson.
  • Pedrotti, L. M., Pedrotti, F. L., & Pedrotti, L. S. (2017). Introduction to Optics. Pearson.
  • Pfister, H. (2018). Fundamentals of Optics. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Goldstein, H. (2014). Classical Mechanics. Pearson.
  • Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2014). Fundamentals of Physics. Wiley.
  • Foot, J. (2005). Atomic Physics. Oxford University Press.
  • Filip, P., & Innes, D. E. (2010). Solar Phys., 262(1), 157-170.
  • Born, M., & Wolf, E. (1999). Principles of Optics. Cambridge University Press.