In a single-slit diffraction experiment, what happens to the width of the centra
Practice Questions
Q1
In a single-slit diffraction experiment, what happens to the width of the central maximum as the slit width decreases?
It increases
It decreases
It remains the same
It becomes zero
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
In a single-slit diffraction experiment, what happens to the width of the central maximum as the slit width decreases?
Correct Answer: Central maximum becomes wider.
Step 1: Understand what a single-slit diffraction experiment is. It involves shining light through a narrow slit and observing the pattern that forms on a screen.
Step 2: Know that the central maximum is the brightest part of the diffraction pattern, located in the middle.
Step 3: Recognize that diffraction is the bending of light waves when they pass through a narrow opening.
Step 4: Realize that the width of the slit affects how much the light bends. A narrower slit causes more bending.
Step 5: Conclude that as the slit width decreases, the light bends more, which makes the central maximum wider.
