Contextualization

In this project, we will address one of the most fascinating experiments in Physics: Young's experiment, a remarkable experiment that marked the transition from the 18th to the 19th century in the field of light. Thomas Young, a British polymath, first performed the 'Young's Experiment' in 1801, thus proposing the wave theory of light.

Young's experiment, also known as the double-slit experiment, observes the diffraction and interference pattern produced when a beam of light passes through two narrow and close slits. This experiment showed that light, which was previously considered only as a beam of particles, also exhibits wave behavior.

Importance

Young's experiment was a milestone in the study of Physics, more specifically in optics and quantum mechanics. It demonstrated the wave-particle duality, a fundamental concept that accompanies us to this day in fields such as quantum physics, materials science, laser technology, and optics in general.

Furthermore, the experiment also paved the way for the development of new technologies. For example, laser technology, used in various areas such as medicine, communication, industry, and research, operates based on the interference and diffraction principles discovered by Young.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Recreating the Young's Experience

Project Objective

The objective of this project is for students to recreate, in a simplified way, Young's experience (Double-Slit Experiment) and, through the experiment and analysis of the results, prove the wave behavior of light.

Detailed Project Description

The work will be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students and has an estimated duration of two to four hours per participating student. The scope of the activity is for students to set up a simplified experiment of Young's experience and present the results, discussions, and conclusions in a formal report.

Required Materials

• 1 shoebox;
• 1 low-power Laser;
• 1 black cardboard;
• 1 millimeter ruler;
• Adhesive tape;
• 1 toothpick or similar diameter object to pierce the cardboard.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Pierce the cardboard with the toothpick to create two very close slits. The slits should be parallel and vertically aligned.

2. Attach the cardboard to the shoebox using the adhesive tape. The cardboard should be in the middle of the box.

3. Place the low-power laser so that the light beam passes through both slits simultaneously.

4. Aim the light beam at a wall or flat surface that is visible and measure the distance from the laser to that wall.

5. Observe the light pattern that appears on the wall. There should be a pattern of alternating bright and dark fringes.

6. Measure the distance between the light fringes using the millimeter ruler.

Project Deliverables

Students must submit a formal project report consisting of four main sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography. Below, we will detail the content of each section:

• Introduction: Students must contextualize Young's experience. They should explain the theoretical and practical relevance of the experiment, why it was chosen, and what the objective of this project is.

• Development: In this section, students must describe Young's experience, explain in detail the setup of the experiment, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained. The discussions should include the analysis of the results in light of the theory studied.

• Conclusions: Students must conclude the work by summarizing the main points, reflecting on what was learned from the experiment, and drawing conclusions about the project.

• Bibliography: Students must indicate the books, websites, videos, and any other sources used to carry out the project and write the report.

The reports will serve not only as a basis for evaluating theoretical concepts but also for assessing socio-emotional skills such as time management, communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking.