How Does Light Intensity Vary with One Slit in a Diffraction Experiment?

AI Thread Summary
In a diffraction experiment using one slit, the light intensity is characterized by a central fringe that is brighter and wider than the symmetrical side fringes. The central maximum is approximately twice the width of the side fringes due to the single-slit diffraction pattern. The maximum brightness occurs in the middle because it represents the point of constructive interference. The existence of fringes with two slits is due to the interference of light waves, a concept that also applies to single-slit diffraction, albeit with a different intensity distribution. Understanding these principles clarifies the behavior of light in diffraction experiments.
Vaseline
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
If one slit is used instead of 2 in a diffraction experiment, how does light intensity vary?

I think.. Central fringe brighter, symmetrical fringes either side of central fringe, central maximum twice the width of side fringes..

But I'm not sure why?

Also, using diffraction gratings – why is the maximum brightness in the middle?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Think about why fringes exist at all when you have 2 slits. Does the same reasoning apply with 1 slit?
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top