Exploring Interference of Particles

Try a similar experiment with some particles. To simulate objects similar to Newton’s particles of light you will use BBs. Place a blank piece of paper in a shallow pan. Over this paper place a sheet of carbon paper with the carbon side down.

To simulate the two slit experiment place the BBs in a small box with two holes in it. Over the carbon paper take your fingers off the holes and let the BBs drop. A carbon mark will appear where the BBs land. [Hint: A much better pattern appears if the carbon paper is placed on a hard surface that is angled so that when the BB’s bounce they don’t land back on the carbon paper.]

Describe the pattern of particle locations.