When a single slit that is 0.050 mm wide is illuminated by light of 550-nm wavelength,what is the angular separation between the first two minima on one side of the central maximum?
A)0.36°
B)0.47°
C)0.54°
D)0.63°
E)1.3°

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The angular position of the minima in a single-slit diffraction pattern is given by the formula θ = mλ/a, where m is the order of the minimum, λ is the wavelength, and a is the slit width. For the first two minima (m=1 and m=2), the angular separation is (2λ/a) - (λ/a) = λ/a. Substituting the given values, θ = (550 x 10^-9 m) / (0.050 x 10^-3 m) = 0.011 radians, which is approximately 0.63°.

When a Single Slit That Is 0