Question: In a single-slit diffraction pattern, where is the first minimum located?
Options:
At θ = 0
At θ = λ/a
At θ = a/λ
At θ = 2λ/a
Correct Answer: At θ = λ/a
Solution:
The first minimum in a single-slit diffraction pattern occurs at θ = λ/a, where a is the width of the slit.
In a single-slit diffraction pattern, where is the first minimum located?
Practice Questions
Q1
In a single-slit diffraction pattern, where is the first minimum located?
At θ = 0
At θ = λ/a
At θ = a/λ
At θ = 2λ/a
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
In a single-slit diffraction pattern, where is the first minimum located?
Step 1: Understand that a single-slit diffraction pattern is created when light passes through a narrow slit.
Step 2: Know that the pattern consists of bright and dark areas on a screen.
Step 3: The dark areas are called minima, and the first minimum is the first dark spot you see after the central bright spot.
Step 4: The position of the first minimum is determined by a specific formula.
Step 5: The formula for the angle (θ) where the first minimum occurs is θ = λ/a.
Step 6: In this formula, λ (lambda) represents the wavelength of the light, and 'a' is the width of the slit.
Step 7: To find the first minimum, you need to know the values of λ and a.
Single-Slit Diffraction – The phenomenon where light spreads out after passing through a narrow slit, creating a pattern of light and dark bands.
Minima in Diffraction Patterns – The points in the diffraction pattern where destructive interference occurs, resulting in dark spots.
Mathematical Representation – Understanding the relationship between the angle of diffraction (θ), wavelength (λ), and slit width (a) in determining the position of minima.
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