A point source of monochromatic light is placed in front of a soccer ball and a screen is placed behind the ball.The light intensity pattern on the screen is best described as:
A)a dark disk on a bright background
B)a dark disk with bright rings outside
C)a dark disk with a bright spot at its center
D)a dark disk with a bright spot at its center and bright rings outside
E)a bright disk with bright rings outside

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is the classic diffraction pattern produced by a circular aperture. The central bright spot is known as the Airy disk and the bright rings around it are called the diffraction rings. Therefore, the light intensity pattern on the screen is described as a dark disk with a bright spot at its center and bright rings outside.

A Point Source of Monochromatic Light Is Placed in Front