In a Michelson interferometer, a laser beam is split into two beams as shown in the figure. When the two beams are combined, an interference pattern is seen on the observation screen. The interference pattern is a series of concentric bright circles separated by dark ones as shown in the figure. At the center of the pattern is a bright circular spot. Suppose the movable mirror is slowly moved toward the beam splitter by distance 1/2. As this is done, what happens to the interference pattern? a) There is no change in the interference pattern. b) The interference pattern becomes brighter, but otherwise remains the same. c) The central bright spot turns into a dark spot (B → D). d) The central bright spot turns into a dark spot and then back into a bright spot (B → D → B). e) The central bright spot turns into a dark spot, then into a bright spot, and then back into a dark spot (B → D → B → D). Fixed Mirror Beam Splitter Movable LASER Mirror Observation Screen
In a Michelson interferometer, a laser beam is split into two beams as shown in the figure. When the two beams are combined, an interference pattern is seen on the observation screen. The interference pattern is a series of concentric bright circles separated by dark ones as shown in the figure. At the center of the pattern is a bright circular spot. Suppose the movable mirror is slowly moved toward the beam splitter by distance 1/2. As this is done, what happens to the interference pattern? a) There is no change in the interference pattern. b) The interference pattern becomes brighter, but otherwise remains the same. c) The central bright spot turns into a dark spot (B → D). d) The central bright spot turns into a dark spot and then back into a bright spot (B → D → B). e) The central bright spot turns into a dark spot, then into a bright spot, and then back into a dark spot (B → D → B → D). Fixed Mirror Beam Splitter Movable LASER Mirror Observation Screen
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