The diffraction pattern from a single slit is viewed on a...

The diffraction pattern from a single slit is viewed on a screen. Using blue light, the width of the central maximum is $2.0 \mathrm{~cm} .$ (a) Would the central maximum be narrower or wider if red light is used instead? (b) If the blue light has wavelength $0.43 \mu \mathrm{m}$ and the red light has wavelength $0.70 \mu \mathrm{m}$, what is the width of the central maximum when red light is used?

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Key Concepts

Diffraction

Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves when they pass through an aperture or around an obstacle. This phenomenon is fundamental to wave behavior and plays a crucial role in understanding how light and other waves interact with openings, leading to various interference patterns.

Single-Slit Diffraction

Single-slit diffraction occurs when light passes through a narrow slit, producing an interference pattern on a screen that consists of a central maximum and multiple side minima and maxima. The geometry of the slit and the wavelength of the light determine the size and spacing of these features, with the central maximum being particularly broad compared to the other fringes.

Wavelength Dependence in Diffraction Patterns

The width of diffraction patterns, especially the central maximum in single-slit diffraction, directly depends on the wavelength of the light used. A longer wavelength results in a wider central maximum, while a shorter wavelength produces a narrower pattern. This relationship is quantified by the condition for minima in the interference pattern, which shows that as the wavelength increases, the angles at which minima occur become larger, thereby broadening the central maximum.

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