In a single slit, Fraunhofer diffraction experiment, with a decrease in the width of the slit, the width of the central maximum

Question

In a single slit, Fraunhofer diffraction experiment, with a decrease in the width of the slit, the width of the central maximum (A) Remains the same (B) Increase (C) Decrease (D) Can be any of these depending on the intensity of the source

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

Width of the central maximum is independent of intensity of the source. Its width is given by β =(2 λ D/d) , where d = width of slit i.e., β propto (1/d) ; hence as d decreases, β increases.

Q. In a single slit, Fraunhofer diffraction experiment, with a decrease in the width of the slit, the width of the central maximum

Remains the same

Increase

Decrease

Can be any of these depending on the intensity of the source

Width of the central maximum is independent of intensity of the source.
Its width is given by $β = \frac{2 λ D}{d}$ , where $d$ = width of slit
i.e., $β \propto \frac{1}{d}$ ; hence as $d$ decreases, $β$ increases.

Q. In a single slit, Fraunhofer diffraction experiment, with a decrease in the width of the slit, the width of the central maximum

Remains the same

Increase

Decrease

Can be any of these depending on the intensity of the source

Width of the central maximum is independent of intensity of the source. Its width is given by β=d2λD​ , where d = width of slit i.e., β∝d1​ ; hence as d decreases, β increases.

Width of the central maximum is independent of intensity of the source.
Its width is given by $β = \frac{2 λ D}{d}$ , where $d$ = width of slit
i.e., $β \propto \frac{1}{d}$ ; hence as $d$ decreases, $β$ increases.