# Diffraction patterns

1. Aug 26, 2011

### roam

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A beam of monochromatic light is incident on a single slit of width 0.560 mm. A diffraction pattern forms on a wall 1.35 m beyond the slit. The distance between the positions of zero intensity on both sides of the central maximum is 2.32 mm. Calculate the wavelength of the light.

2. Relevant equations

$$y=L \ sin \theta_{dark}$$

$$sin \theta_{dark} = m \frac{\lambda}{a}$$

3. The attempt at a solution

$$sin \theta_{dark} = \frac{\lambda}{a}$$

And since

$$sin \theta_{dark} = \frac{y}{L}$$

We have $$\lambda = \frac{ya}{L} = \frac{(2.32 \times 10^{-3})(0.56 \times 10^{-3})}{1.35} = 962.37 \ nm$$

But why is my answer wrong?

Last edited: Aug 27, 2011
2. Aug 27, 2011

### PeterO

I haven't checked you numbers, just the idea but...

Have you taken into account the fact that formulas often work with the angle off the axis/normal to the dark fringe, where as the distance was from the dark fringe on the left to the dark fringe on the right?

3. Aug 27, 2011

### roam

Okay, I tried to do it differently, but the computer still marks me wrong:

$$d \ sin \theta_{min} = \lambda$$

$$tan \theta = (2.32 \times 10^{-3}){1.35} = 0.0017185$$

$$\theta = 0.09846 \ degrees$$

$$\lambda = (0.560 \times 10^{-3}) \times sin 0.09846 = 962.4 nm$$

What should I do?

4. Aug 27, 2011