In a single-slit Fraunhofer diffraction experiment, a slit of width is illuminated by light of wavelength . If the screen is placed at a distance , what is the linear width of the central diffraction maximum?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B.
- Step 1: In single-slit diffraction, the first minima on either side of the central maximum occur at angle .
- Step 2: The angular width of the central maximum is .
- Step 3: The linear width on the screen is .
Answer
.
Why not the others: is the half-width (distance from center to first minimum, ); divides by 4; doubles the linear width.
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