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This article will briefly provide notes on conditions for the interference of light. The conditions on the interference of light are a very important concept in physics and questions from this concept not only come in the board exams but also often come in competitive exams like UPSC examination. The interference of light is nothing but an event in which two light waves cover each other and form other light waves that are higher, lower, or of similar amplitude to the respective light waves. One example of interference of light can be soap bubbles when they are shined by a light source, they reflect a wide variety of colors. In simple words, interference of light is an event in which multiple numbers of light waves interfere with each other under some critical situations which results in the formation of another wave either higher or lower in amplitude. In the above parts, the difference between interference and diffraction will be shown briefly.
Definition of Interference in Physics
In the language of physics, Interference can be defined as the fruitful effect of two or multiple waves moving toward, intersecting, or coinciding their paths. Interference can take place in two waves traveling in a similar direction but will contain non-similar frequencies and wavelengths. And the wave that came, as a result, is said to be a complex wave.
Condition for the interference of Light
- The first condition is that the two sources of light must be coherent sources.
- The two sources must be very tiny and fine.
- There must be closeness between the sources.
- The amplitude must be equal
- For bright or dark points, the path difference in waves must be odd multiples or even multiples of bisection of the wavelength.
If the following conditions are fulfilled then it can be said as interference of light.
Difference Between Interference and Diffraction
Diffraction is basically the event to spread a light wave whenever it is being passed via a small gap. On the other hand, Interference of light is an event in which multiple light waves cover each other under some situation resulting in the formation of another wave that is of lower or higher amplitude. Interference and Diffraction are two phenomenons that are opposite to each other. In this part, the difference between the event of interference and the diffraction of light will be shown. The main points of difference between the diffraction and the interference of light are as follows: –
Interference | Diffraction |
The Interference event is formed due to the interaction of two light waves originating from similar sources and these waves come from different waves fronts. | In diffraction two waves interact but they come from similar wavefronts. |
The width of interference fringes is similar. | On the other hand, the width of fringes of diffraction is not similar. |
In interference of light, all shining fringes are similar. | But, in the diffraction of light, all the shining fringes are not similar at all. |
The in-between spaces are uniform in nature. | In diffraction, the spaces are not uniform in nature. |
The direction of interference never changes, not even after the process of coinciding waves. | But, the direction or shape of diffraction often changes after the diffraction process. |
Diffraction is the process in which light waves spread down when it travels through a small gap area. But here one should note that the wavelengths of the light waves must be compared with the measurements of the gap through which the wave is traveling. If it is traveling through a large gap then the light will not bend at the edges but if it’s a small gap then the bending of light is quite prominent. | Interference is the process in which two light waves coincide with each other under some specific situations discharged by two coherent sources going through a similar medium. A soap bubble is a perfect example of interference light. Hence, two waves coherent in nature coincide with each other when they are crossing each other. |
Conclusion
This article was a complete note on the conditions for the interference of light. The article showed the difference between interference and diffraction phenomena, with which it also showed the definition of interference in physics. The conditions for the interference of light is a very important concept for board examinations and as well as for competitive exams like UPSC examinations. Interference of light is a process in which two light waves coincide with each other under some specific circumstances. Interference and Diffraction are two contrasting phenomenons.
