The table lists the range of wavelengths in vacuum corresponding to a given color. Which one of these colors will produce a diffraction pattern with the widest central maximum, assuming all other factors are equal?
A)red
B)yellow
C)green
D)blue
E)violet

Question

The table lists the range of wavelengths in vacuum corresponding to a given color. Which one of these colors will produce a diffraction pattern with the widest central maximum, assuming all other factors are equal? 
A)red 
B)yellow 
C)green 
D)blue 
E)violet

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The width of the central maximum in a diffraction pattern depends on the wavelength of the light and the size of the aperture used to diffract the light. However, all other factors being equal, a wider central maximum will be produced by light with a longer wavelength. Among the given colors, red has the longest wavelength and therefore will produce a diffraction pattern with the widest central maximum.

The Table Lists the Range of Wavelengths in Vacuum Corresponding