In a Young's double-slit interference experiment, the width of one slit is half the width of the other slit. The ratio of maximum to minimum intensity in the interference pattern is:
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Question

In a Young's double-slit interference experiment, the width of one slit is half the width of the other slit. The ratio of maximum to minimum intensity in the interference pattern is:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For identical illumination, the amplitude contributed by a slit is proportional to its width. If the slit widths are in the ratio 1:2, the amplitudes are also in the ratio A₁:A₂ = 1:2. Maximum intensity: I m a x I_max I m ​ a x ∝ (A₁+A₂)² = (1+2)² = 9. Minimum intensity: I m i n I_min I m ​ in ∝ (A₂-A₁)² = (2-1)² = 1. Therefore, I m a x : I m i n I_max:I_min I m ​ a x : I m ​ in = 9:1. Correct option: B.