The reflected light is different from the direct path light because of its interaction with the surface.  A wave meeting a surface and then developed again leaving it changes its phase by one half a cycle on reflection.  Since phase is measured as an angle from 0 to 360 degrees or from 00 to 2π2π radians, we describe this by saying that the phase changes 180 degrees or ππ radians upon reflection.   Apart from that effect, this experiment is exactly equivalent to Young's double slit. 2.  If the two beams have paths that differ by exactly one wavelength  λλ in Young's double slit, do they add constructively to make a bright interference region, or

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter27: Wave Optics
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The reflected light is different from the direct path light because of its interaction with the surface.  A wave meeting a surface and then developed again leaving it changes its phase by one half a cycle on reflection.  Since phase is measured as an angle from 0 to 360 degrees or from 00 to 2π2π radians, we describe this by saying that the phase changes 180 degrees or ππ radians upon reflection.   Apart from that effect, this experiment is exactly equivalent to Young's double slit.

2.  If the two beams have paths that differ by exactly one wavelength  λλ in Young's double slit, do they add constructively to make a bright interference region, or destructively to make a dark one? 

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