Lecture #4: Interference

Question 1

In a double slit experiment, what would you see on the screen if you only let light diffract from one slit?

Answer 1

Smooth interference pattern

Question 2

The interference pattern is NOT

Answer 2

A consequence of two different photons disturbing one another

Question 3

Every individual photon has a probability distribution that’s described by

Answer 3

The solution of a wave equation

Question 4

True or false: interference is always something that happens to one system

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Light has both

Answer 5

particlelike and wavelike aspects

Question 6

If two or more indistinguishable processes can lead to the same final event, then interference occurs and you add

Answer 6

Amplitudes

Question 7

True or false: amplitudes could be negative and cancel out

Answer 7

True

Question 8

If multiple distinguishable processes occur, then you add

Answer 8

Probabilities

Question 9

True or false: if there is any way, even in principle, to tell which process occurred, it’s still possible to see an interference pattern

Answer 9

False: there can be no interference

Question 10

An inner product is a

Answer 10

Map from vectors to scalars