What is an interference fringe or pattern?

By Forinfos - 19/10/2025 - 0 comments

An interference fringe or pattern results from constructive and destructive interference of light waves. By passing sunlight through two narrow slits, the fringe pattern is viewed on a screen placed behind the slits.

Constructive interference occurs when one wave's peak matches the peak from another, creating a situation in which the waves will add to each other. In destructive interference, a peak from one wave pairs with another wave's trough. These waves will neutralize each other. Constructive interference results in a bright line on the screen, while destructive interference results in a dark line. These patterns of bright and dark lines were first discovered by Thomas Young in 1801.


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