# How far is the screen from the slit? Diffraction problem.

1. Nov 6, 2008

### 6021023

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

The distance d from the center of the pattern to the location of the third diffraction minimum of the red laser is 4.05 centimeters. The wavelength of the red laser is 633 nanometers and the slit is 0.15 millimeters wide. How far is the screen from the slit?

2. Relevant equations

$$sin\theta = \frac{m\lambda}{a}$$

3. The attempt at a solution

m = 3
$$\lambda = 633 \times 10^{-9} m$$
$$a = 0.15 \times 10^{-3} m$$

$$sin\theta = \frac{y}{4.05 \times 10^{-2} m}$$

$$\frac{y}{4.05 \times 10^{-2} m} = \frac{m\lambda}{a}$$

$$y = \frac{4.05 \times 10^{-2} m (3)(633 \times 10^{-9}m)}{0.15 \times 10^{-3} m}$$

y = 0.00051273 m

$$sin\theta = \frac{0.00051273 m}{4.05 \times 10^-2 m}$$
$$\theta = 0.725$$
$$cos 0.725 = \frac{r}{4.05 \times 10^{-2}}$$
$$r = 4.05 \times 10^{-2} \times cos 0.725$$
$$r = 4.05 \times 10^{-2}$$

This is not the correct answer. Where did I go wrong?

Last edited: Nov 6, 2008
2. Nov 6, 2008

### nasu

Re: Diffraction

The third maximum corresponds to m=2.
First one is at theta=0 (m=0)

3. Nov 6, 2008

### 6021023

Re: Diffraction

It's not looking for the maximum it's looking for the minimum.

4. Nov 6, 2008

### nasu

Re: Diffraction

Sorry, I did not look properly.

You are calculating y but y is given (y is 4.05 cm).
Tan(theta) = y/D
D is the unknown here.
I got approx 3 m for D.

5. Nov 6, 2008

### 6021023

Re: Diffraction

The correct answer is 3.20 m. How do you get that answer?

6. Nov 7, 2008

### nasu

Re: Diffraction

I've told you already, write the formula as
y/D = m*lambda/z

Solve for D. y is given.

7. Nov 8, 2008

### 6021023

Re: Diffraction

So I guess in this case, since theta is small, sin(theta) is about equal to tan(theta), and setting them equal to each other is the key to solving this problem.