A single slit diffraction pattern is observed using the arrangement shown in fig

Question

A single slit diffraction pattern is observed using the arrangement shown in figure 1 (below). The distance from the slit to the screen is 1.2 meters. The distance from the central maximum to the first minimum is 1 cm. If the wavelength of the laser light is 632.8 nm, what is the width of the slit?

2) for the conditions described in question 1, how far is the second minimum from the central maximum.

I am struggling to get problem set up correctly, please show work if possible and explain why? Thank you so much!

In today's lab you will be studying light diffracting through a tall, narrow opening (a.k.a asingle slit) and falling on a distant viewing screen. For any given point on the viewing screen, light from the top half of the slit travels a different distance to the screen than light from the bottom half of the slit. This difference in path length means that the 'waves' arrive out of phase and will interfere with each other. Comparison of the difference in path length to the wavelength will tell us if the interference is purely constructive, purely destructive, or something in between. If we consider what is happening at every point along the viewing screen, we get a diffraction patter. Can you seen now how the distinction between interference and diffraction is a bit artificial? We will forgo a detailed derivation and quote a result for the locations on a viewing screen where destructive interference occurs (dark spots, or minimum intensity). The figure below defines the quantities used in our equation.

Explanation / Answer

Part A)

Apply y/L = m(wavelength)/a

.01/1.2 = 1(632.8 X 10-9)/a

a = 7.59 X 10-5 m (75.9 um)

Part B)

y = 2(.01)

y = .02 m which is 2 cm

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