A Haunting question on diffraction grating

AI Thread Summary
Increasing the width of each slit while keeping the separation constant leads to brighter fringes and fewer fringes on the screen due to the increased intensity of light from each slit, despite initial assumptions that diffraction would reduce brightness. The confusion arises from the relationship between slit width and diffraction effects, where a wider slit allows for more light to constructively interfere, enhancing brightness. In the second part, increasing the separation of the slits does not result in more maxima; instead, it leads to a decrease in the number of observable fringes because the angle for each fringe increases, reducing their density on the screen. The equation dsin∅=nλ indicates that as the separation (d) increases, the angles for the maxima also increase, which means fewer fringes fit within a given range. Understanding these principles clarifies the behavior of diffraction patterns in double-slit experiments.
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Homework Statement


This question is pretty interesting, but a bit long, so bear with me

http://www.xtremepapers.com/CIE/International%20A%20And%20AS%20Level/9702%20-%20Physics/9702_w07_qp_2.pdf
question 5 part c

For (i) The width of each slit is increased but the separation remains constant.
Firstly what exactly does it mean to increase the width? Is d increasing? but it says separation remains constant
the answer says the bright fringes will become brighter and there will be fewer fringes on the screen. HOW?
I thought the fringes would become less bright, because increasing the slit mean diffraction decreases (considering the small wavelength of the light) so there should be less superposition, and hence the intensity of the resultant wave should be lower! ANd how in the world is "will be fewer fringes on the screen" derived??


And for the second one (ii) The separation of the slits is increased.
Why is increase in the nos. of maximas(more fringes seen) wrong?? following the equation dsin∅=nλ, if d increases then n will increase won't it??



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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mutineer123 said:

Homework Statement


This question is pretty interesting, but a bit long, so bear with me

http://www.xtremepapers.com/CIE/International%20A%20And%20AS%20Level/9702%20-%20Physics/9702_w07_qp_2.pdf
question 5 part c

For (i) The width of each slit is increased but the separation remains constant.
Firstly what exactly does it mean to increase the width? Is d increasing? but it says separation remains constant
the answer says the bright fringes will become brighter and there will be fewer fringes on the screen. HOW?
I thought the fringes would become less bright, because increasing the slit mean diffraction decreases (considering the small wavelength of the light) so there should be less superposition, and hence the intensity of the resultant wave should be lower! ANd how in the world is "will be fewer fringes on the screen" derived??


And for the second one (ii) The separation of the slits is increased.
Why is increase in the nos. of maximas(more fringes seen) wrong?? following the equation dsin∅=nλ, if d increases then n will increase won't it??



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



http://www.xtremepapers.com/CIE/International%20A%20And%20AS%20Level/9702%20-%20Physics/9702_w07_ms_2.pdf → answer sheet if anyone wants to view
 
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