Page 202 - Algae Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology

Working with Light 185

FIGURE 5.4 Interference of light passing through two narrow slits, each acting as a source of waves. The
superimposition of waves produces a pattern of alternating bright and dark bands. When crest meets crest or
trough meets trough, constructive interference occurs, which makes bright bands; when crest meets trough
destructive interference occurs, which makes dark bands. The dots indicate the points of constructive
interference. The light intensity distribution shows a maximum that corresponds to the highest number of dots.

FIGURE 5.5 Different types of reflection: u I angle of incidence and u R angle of reflection.