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Laser light from a single slit is projected as a pattern on to a wall which is 5

ID: 1427143 • Letter: L

Question

Laser light from a single slit is projected as a pattern on to a wall which is 5.21 m away. The width of the central maximum of the pattern is measured to be 13.8 cm the laser is known to be 642 nm. What is the most easily identifiable characteristic of a single slit pattern? What is the width of the slit? Give your answer in millimeters. At what distance from the center of the pattern is the 3rd order minimum located? Give your answer in centimeters. At what distance from the center of the pattern is the 2nd order maximum located? Give your answer in centimeters.

Explanation / Answer

given,

R = 5.21 m

width of central maximum, w = 13.8 cm = 0.138 m


lamda = 642 nm

A) A solid central maximum that is much wider than the other visible orders.

B) let d is the width of the slit.

Apply, w = 2*lamda*R/d

==> d = 2*lamda*R/w

   = 2*642*10^-9*5.21/0.138

= 4.85*10^-5 m

= 0.0485 mm

C) for 3rd minum, y3 = 3*lamda*R/d

= 3*642*10^-9*5.21/(4.85*10^-5)

= 0.207 m

= 20.7 cm

d) for second maximum, y2 = (5/2)*lamda*R/d

= 2.5*642*10^-9*5.21/(4.85*10^-5)

= 0.172 m

= 17.2 cm