When a plate of thickness 0.05 mm is placed in the path of a Michaelson Interferometer, a shift of 100 fringes is observed for a light of wavelength 5000 Å. What is the refractive index of the plate?

Thomas Young's double-slit experiment in 1801 was the first to demonstrate the phenomenon of light interference. The experiment involved shining a coherent light source, such as a laser, through two narrow slits cut into a screen. The light waves passing through the slits interfered with each other, creating a wave-like pattern on the screen.  Young observed that when the two beams of light recombined, the combined beam showed a pattern of light and dark fringes. He concluded that the fringes resulted from the fact that when the beams recombine their peaks and troughs may not be in... Show more

Thomas Young's double-slit experiment in 1801 was the first to demonstrate the phenomenon of light interference. The experiment involved shining a coherent light source, such as a laser, through two narrow slits cut into a screen. The light waves passing through the slits interfered with each other, creating a wave-like pattern on the screen. 

Young observed that when the two beams of light recombined, the combined beam showed a pattern of light and dark fringes. He concluded that the fringes resulted from the fact that when the beams recombine their peaks and troughs may not be in phase. 
The experiment played a major role in the general acceptance of the wave theory of light. Further experiments showed that light actually behaves as both a wave and as particles, revealing its quantum nature. 

Related Test: Engineering Physics Practice Test: Introduction to Optics

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