Angular Width Of Central Diffraction

Click For Summary
To calculate the angular width of the central diffraction peak for a single slit, the formula 2Θ, where Θ=arcsin(m*λ/d), is used with m=1, λ=350nm, and d=0.20mm. There was confusion regarding unit conversions, as λ is in nanometers and d in millimeters, which need to be consistent. The correct conversion for d should be noted, as 0.20mm equals 0.20 x 10^-3 meters. Proper unit alignment is crucial for accurate calculations, and using kilometers for both λ and d would require adjustments. Accurate calculations depend on ensuring all measurements are in the same unit.
Chris18
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
350nm falls on a single slit of width of 0.20mm. What is the angular width of the central diffraction peak?
I think that the width should be equal to 2Θ, where Θ=arcsin(m*λ/d)... m=1 and we have λ=350*10^-9 and d= 0.20*10^-6...but when i do the calculations I get 1.75 and the arcsin is a maths error...Could anyone help me please?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Chris18 said:
λ=350*10^-9 and d= 0.20*10^-6
Are those numbers in the same unit?
 
λ=nm and d= mm
 
Note 1 mm ≠ 10-6 m.
 
Ok so I must have 10^-7 ?
 
Chris18 said:
d= 0.20*10^-6
You should have written the unit as well, if you write it correctly it will be ##d= 0.20 \times 10^{-6}## km. If you use km for d then you must also use km for ##\lambda##.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
970
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
2K