In a diffraction pattern produced by a single slit, what happens to the central

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Question: In a diffraction pattern produced by a single slit, what happens to the central maximum when the slit width is decreased? (2022)

Options:

Correct Answer: It becomes wider

Exam Year: 2022

Solution:

Decreasing the slit width increases the diffraction angle, causing the central maximum to become wider.

In a diffraction pattern produced by a single slit, what happens to the central maximum when the slit width is decreased? (2022)

In a diffraction pattern produced by a single slit, what happens to the central maximum when the slit width is decreased? (2022)

Step 1: Understand what a diffraction pattern is. It is the pattern created when light passes through a narrow opening (slit) and spreads out.
Step 2: Identify the central maximum. This is the brightest and widest part of the diffraction pattern, located in the center.
Step 3: Know what happens when the slit width decreases. A smaller slit means that light waves can spread out more.
Step 4: Realize that as the slit width decreases, the angle at which the light spreads out (diffraction angle) increases.
Step 5: Conclude that a larger diffraction angle means the central maximum will be wider, as the light spreads out more.

Diffraction – The bending of waves around obstacles and the spreading of waves when they pass through a narrow opening.
Single Slit Experiment – An experiment that demonstrates the wave nature of light through the formation of a diffraction pattern when light passes through a single narrow slit.
Central Maximum – The brightest and widest part of the diffraction pattern, located at the center.
Slit Width and Diffraction Angle – The relationship between the width of the slit and the angle of diffraction, where a narrower slit results in a larger diffraction angle.