Find Single slit diffraction width

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in optics, specifically focusing on single-slit diffraction and the calculation of slit width based on given parameters such as the distance between minima, screen distance, and wavelength of light.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply a formula to find the slit width but questions the correctness of their answer after receiving feedback. Some participants question the values substituted into the equation and their alignment with the problem statement.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of changing values in the problem and clarifying the definitions of terms used in the equations. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the original poster's approach, but guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the distances involved.

Contextual Notes

There are constraints related to the online test changing values upon repetition, which may affect the clarity of the problem setup. Participants are also discussing the distinction between maxima and minima in the context of the diffraction pattern.

misunderstood
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Ive been marked wrong but not sure why:

The distance between the first and fifth minima of a single-slit diffraction pattern is 0.400 mm with the screen 41.0 cm away from the slit, when light of wavelength 570 nm is used. Find the slit width.


y=m(theata)D/a

m-order = 5
D-distance from slit to screen = 0.43m
a-slit width = ?
y-distance from centre to minima = 0.000450 m

a=m(theata)D/y

((5)*(560x10^-9)*(0.43))/0.000450 = 2.6755x10^-3

The answer I got is 2.68x10^-3 but it's been marked wrong on the computer, is it me or is the answer correct??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I assume that by "theata" you actually mean the wavelength lambda.
I don't understand the values that you substitute into the equation; they don't match with the values you provided in the question at all.
 
Im sorry the online test changes the values after you repeat the question

Ive changed it:
The distance between the first and fifth minima of a single-slit diffraction pattern is 0.450 mm with the screen 43.0 cm away from the slit, when light of wavelength 560 nm is used. Find the slit width.yes lambda as in wavelength
 
The value that you used is the distance of the 5th maxima from the origin (0th order maxima), and not the distance between the 1st and 5th maximas (or minimas - the distance is the same).
[tex] y_{5} - y_{1} = 0.400mm[/tex]

[tex] \frac{5 \lambda D}{a} - \frac{1 \lambda D}{a} = 0.400mm[/tex]
You can do the rest of the math.
 
thankyou
 

Similar threads

Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K