Double-slit experiment

The double-slit experiment consists of letting light diffract through two slits producing fringes on a screen. These fringes or interference patterns have light and dark regions corresponding to where the light waves have constructively and destructively interfered. The experiment can also be performed with a beam of electrons or atoms, showing similar interference patterns; this is taken as evidence of the "wave-particle duality" predicted by quantum physics. Note, however, that a double-slit experiment can also be performed with water waves in a ripple tank; the explanation of the observed wave phenomena does not require quantum mechanics in any way. The phenomenon is quantum mechanical only when quantum particles, such as atoms or electrons, manifest as waves.

Related Topics:
Light - Diffract - Interference - Experiment - Electron - Atom - Wave-particle duality - Quantum physics - Water - Wave - Ripple tank - Quantum mechanics

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