A beam of light passes through a narrow slit and produces a diffraction pattern.

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Question: A beam of light passes through a narrow slit and produces a diffraction pattern. What is the angle for the first minimum? (2022)

Options:

Correct Answer: λ/a

Exam Year: 2022

Solution:

The angle for the first minimum in single-slit diffraction is given by a sin θ = λ, hence θ = λ/a.

A beam of light passes through a narrow slit and produces a diffraction pattern. What is the angle for the first minimum? (2022)

A beam of light passes through a narrow slit and produces a diffraction pattern. What is the angle for the first minimum? (2022)

Step 1: Understand that when light passes through a narrow slit, it spreads out and creates a pattern called diffraction.
Step 2: Know that the first minimum in the diffraction pattern occurs at a specific angle.
Step 3: The formula to find this angle is a sin(θ) = λ, where 'a' is the width of the slit and 'λ' is the wavelength of the light.
Step 4: Rearrange the formula to solve for θ: θ = arcsin(λ/a).
Step 5: Use the values of 'λ' and 'a' to calculate the angle θ.

Single-Slit Diffraction – The phenomenon where light spreads out after passing through a narrow slit, creating a pattern of light and dark regions.
Diffraction Minimum – The angles at which destructive interference occurs, resulting in dark spots in the diffraction pattern.
Wavelength and Slit Width Relationship – The relationship between the wavelength of light (λ) and the width of the slit (a) that determines the angle of the first minimum.