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Problem 37.1: Illumination pattern
Please wait for the animation to completely load.
Two sources of light waves of equal frequency and amplitude are shown. The magnitude of the electric field is represented by the light and dark areas. The lighter the spot, the greater the magnitude of the electric field at that spot. A blue screen is shown on the right-hand side of the animation (position is given in arbitrary units). Restart.
- What illumination pattern appears on the screen?
- Does the appearance of the screen change with time?
This applet calculates seven frames and then runs continuously. For a large number of sources, or for very small wavelengths, this calculation can take some time, so let the applet finish calculating all seven frames.