Question

When light is passed through two narrow slits, the result produced on a distant screen is not the result predicted by the ray model of light. Discuss the prediction that the ray model makes and how an alternative model can explain these results. What are the implications of these results for our foothold ideas about light? Note: This is an essay question. Your answer will be judged not solely on its correctness, but for its depth, coherence, and clarity.

Answer 1

The ray model of light is " A light is represented as a ray that travels in straight path , the direction of which can be changed only by placing an obstruction in the path"

1. Light travels through a transparent medium in straight lines at a speed v = c/n ( n is refractive index)

2.Light ray do not interact with each other

3. At an interface between two media- refracted & reflected .

4 within a medium , light can be scattered and absorbed .

But

When a light passes through two narrow slits , the two waves emerging from the slits diffract outward and overlap and will form dark & bright areas .

This phenomena is known as interference , and This is the failure of Ray model of light.