Procedure:

Two acoustic speakers were set up next to each other and connected to a signal generator configured to generate a 40kHz signal. A receiver was set up opposite of the speakers and attached to an oscilloscope. The receiver was kept a fixed distance from the speakers, as measured by a connecting string, and moved left and right of the speakers as it picked up local maximums in the signal. The angle measure moved from center was recorded for each maximum, and several maximums were recorded.

A similar apparatus was set up with a microwave transmitter and receiver. Three plates were put between the transmitter and receiver, and arranged in such a way as for there to be two slits. The receiver was again swept in an arc at a fixed distance to the left and right of the transmitter so as to pass through local maximums in the signal. The angle measures from center were measured for each maximum.

A final experiment was done using a laser directed through a pair of slits against a wall. The laser leaves a pattern on the wall, revealing the interference from the slits and the local maximums. The pattern was recorded and studied; the slit distance was averaged and experimental values were calculated from the data.

2004-08-30T08:59:09