How Do You Calculate Slit Width Using Wavelength and Diffraction Angle?

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To calculate slit width using wavelength and diffraction angle, the formula a = λ / sin(θ) is applied, where λ is the wavelength of light and θ is the angle to the first bright fringe. In this case, with a wavelength of 689 nm and an angle of 38°, the initial calculation yields a slit width of 1.12E-3 mm. However, clarification is needed on whether this is a single or double slit setup, as the formulas differ. For a single slit, the correct formula involves adjusting the angle to 19° and using a = (3/2)λ / sin(19°). The final consensus confirms that for a single slit, the angle of 19° is appropriate for the calculation.
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Monochromatic light of wavelength 689 nm falls on a slit. If the angle between the first bright fringes on either side of the central maximum is 38 °, what is the slit width?

a = λ / sin(theta)

a = 689 nm / sin 38 °

a = 1.12E-3mm

is this all there is to it?
 
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airkapp said:
Monochromatic light of wavelength 689 nm falls on a slit. If the angle between the first bright fringes on either side of the central maximum is 38 °, what is the slit width?

a = λ / sin(theta)

a = 689 nm / sin 38 °

a = 1.12E-3mm

is this all there is to it?

I believe that asin\theta=\lambda where \theta is the angle between the central line and the first bright fringe. So your theta here should be 19.

a = 689 nm / sin 19 °

EDIT: Is this a double slit or single-slit?
For double slit:
a = λ / sin(theta)

For single slit:
a = (3/2)λ / sin(theta)
 
Last edited:
learningphysics said:
I believe that asin\theta=\lambda where \theta is the angle between the central line and the first bright fringe. So your theta here should be 19.

a = 689 nm / sin 19 °


ahhh. thankyou :smile:
 
airkapp said:
ahhh. thankyou :smile:

Please note my edit to my previous post. Be careful whether it is a double or single slit.
 
learningphysics said:
I believe that asin\theta=\lambda where \theta is the angle between the central line and the first bright fringe. So your theta here should be 19.

a = 689 nm / sin 19 °

EDIT: Is this a double slit or single-slit?
For double slit:
a = λ / sin(theta)

For single slit:
a = (3/2)λ / sin(theta)


It is a single slit...

so then I do use the same theta of 19 degrees correct?

a = (3/2)λ / sin(19°)
 
airkapp said:
It is a single slit...

so then I do use the same theta of 19 degrees correct?

a = (3/2)λ / sin(19°)

Yes, that's right. theta is 19. It comes from asin(theta)=(m+1/2)λ
 
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