Exploring Diffraction: The Width of Central Maximum

How to Find the Width of Central Maximum in Diffraction?

Given the wavelength of light, slit width, and distance of central maximum, how can we determine the total width of the central maximum?

Calculation and Explanation:

When light from a helium-neon laser with a wavelength of 633 nm is incident upon a 0.200-mm wide slit, the total width of the central maximum 2.00 m from the slit can be calculated using the formula:

total width of central maximum = 2λD/a

Substitute the values: total width = (2 × 633 nm × 2.00 m) / 0.200 mm = 0.01266 m = 1.266 cm.

Understanding Diffraction and Central Maximum Width

Diffraction is a phenomenon in physics that occurs when waves encounter an obstacle or aperture and bend around it.

In the case of light passing through a narrow slit, such as in the experiment mentioned, diffraction leads to the formation of fringes known as interference patterns.

The central maximum is the brightest and widest fringe in the diffraction pattern, located at the center of the screen.

To find the width of the central maximum, we consider the distance between the first order minima on either side of the screen's center, as it defines the extent of the central fringe.

By solving the equation for destructive interference for y using the constant m=1, we can determine the width of the central maximum accurately.

Diffraction has played a crucial role in astronomy, allowing for the development of precise spectrometers that analyze the light from celestial objects.

During the early 1800s, diffraction studies by scientists in Italy and Germany paved the way for significant advancements in understanding light and its behavior.