What is the effect of increasing the number of slits in a diffraction grating on the sharpness of the maxima?
Correct Answer: Increasing the number of slits sharpens the maxima.
- Step 1: Understand what a diffraction grating is. It is a tool with multiple slits that spreads light into different directions.
- Step 2: Know that when light passes through these slits, it creates patterns of light and dark areas called maxima and minima.
- Step 3: Realize that maxima are the bright spots where light waves combine strongly (constructive interference).
- Step 4: Learn that increasing the number of slits means more opportunities for light waves to combine, which enhances the constructive interference.
- Step 5: Understand that sharper maxima mean that the bright spots are more defined and concentrated, making them easier to see.
- Step 6: Conclude that more slits lead to sharper maxima because the light waves are more effectively combining at those points.
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