Find ratio of brightness & the distance the 6th dark fringe is from central fringe

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the ratio of brightness and the distance of the 6th dark fringe from the central fringe using the equations sinθ = y / L and β = (π * a * sinθ) / λ. The values used include y = 1.26 m, L = 1.29 m, λ = 517.4 × 10^-9 m, and a = 3.96 × 10^-6 m. The user initially made errors in calculations related to the angle β and the sine function, specifically regarding the use of radians versus degrees. After receiving clarification on these points, the user successfully corrected their calculations.

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hraghav
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Homework Statement
Light of wavelength λ = 517.4× 10^−9 m is incident on a metal plate that has two thin, parallel slits etched into it a distance of d = 5.44 × 10^−6 m apart. A distance of L=1.29 m away lies a viewing panel onto which the diffraction pattern can be displayed.
The metal plate with the two slits is replaced with a metal plate with a single slit that has a width of a= 3.96 × 10^−6 m. a) What is the ratio of the brightness at y = 1.26 m (from the central fringe) to the brightness of the central fringe?

b) The metal plate with the two slits is replaced with a metal plate with a single slit that has a width of a = 7.96 × 10^-6 m. How far from the central fringe is the 6th dark fringe (destructive interference)?
Relevant Equations
a) I = Io(sinβ / β)^2
β = (pi * a*sinθ) / λ
sinθ = y / L

b) asinθ=mλ
a) sinθ = y / L where y = 1.26 m and L = 1.29m
sinθ = 0.9767

β = (pi * a*sinθ) / λ where λ = 517.4 * 10^-9 m and a= 3.96 × 10^−6 m
β = 0.000012151 / 517.4 * 10^-9 = 23.485

I / Io = (sin(23.485) / 23.485)^2
I / Io = 0.0002879
which is 0.2879 * 10^-3

b) asinθ=mλ where m = 6 and λ = 517.4 * 10^-9 m
sinθ = 0.000003104 / a where a = 7.96 × 10^-6 m
sinθ = 0.39

y = Lsinθ. where L = 1.29 m
y = 0.5031 m
which is 50.31 * 10^-2 m

Both these answers are incorrect. Could someone please let me know where am I making an error?
 
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hraghav said:
Relevant Equations:
sinθ = y / L
Do you have the correct trig function here?
 
hraghav said:
Homework Statement:
Relevant Equations: a) I = Io(sinβ / β)^2
β = (pi * a*sinθ) / λ
When you use this formula, is ##\beta## in degrees or in radians?
 
TSny said:
When you use this formula, is ##\beta## in degrees or in radians?
I got my error in part a but still can't figure out part b
 
When you use the formula for obtaining the angle ##\beta##, the angle will be in units of radians. So, be careful with the units.

Did you catch your mistake in writing ##\sin \theta = y/L##?

EDIT: Never mind, you said you got part (a) correct. So, you must have made these corrections. In part (b) did you make the correction in ##y = L \sin \theta##? Also, be careful if you've been switching your calculator back and forth between radian and degree mode.
 
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TSny said:
When you use the formula for obtaining the angle ##\beta##, the angle will be in units of radians. So, be careful with the units.

Did you catch your mistake in writing ##\sin \theta = y/L##?

EDIT: Never mind, you said you got part (a) correct. So, you must have made these corrections. In part (b) did you make the correction in ##y = L \sin \theta##? Also, be careful if you've been switching your calculator back and forth between radian and degree mode.
Yes I understood what you mean, Thanks I got the correct answer
 
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