What is the relationship between the slit width and the angular position of the
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the relationship between the slit width and the angular position of the first minimum in single-slit diffraction?
Directly proportional
Inversely proportional
No relationship
Exponential relationship
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the relationship between the slit width and the angular position of the first minimum in single-slit diffraction?
Step 1: Understand that single-slit diffraction occurs when light passes through a narrow opening (the slit).
Step 2: Know that the first minimum is the first dark spot you see on either side of the central bright spot when looking at the diffraction pattern.
Step 3: The position of this first minimum is determined by the formula: sin(θ) = λ / a, where θ is the angle to the first minimum, λ is the wavelength of the light, and a is the width of the slit.
Step 4: Realize that if the slit width (a) gets smaller, the value of sin(θ) must increase to keep the equation balanced, which means θ (the angle) must also increase.
Step 5: Conclude that as the slit width decreases, the angular position of the first minimum increases, showing an inverse relationship.
