What is the width of the single slit used in the experiment?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the width of a single slit used in a diffraction experiment involving laser light with a wavelength of 610 nm. The distance between the first-order maxima is given as 4.00 mm, and the participant initially misapplied the formula for locating minima instead of focusing on the maxima. Clarification is provided that the question pertains to the first-order maxima, not the second minima, emphasizing that maxima do not lie directly between minima. The correct approach involves understanding the relationship between the slit width and the diffraction pattern produced. Accurate calculations are essential for determining the slit width based on the provided parameters.
2Pac
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A single slit diffracts laser light of wavelength 610 nm onto a screen 2.25 m away. The distance between the two first-order maxima on either side of the central peak is 4.00 mm. How wide is the slit?

Anyone give me some help? i got an answer of .001029m and apparently this isn't correct. i used the formula for locating the minima a\cdot \sin(\theta) = (\lambda) . Since the second minima is located where (\lambda) is multiplied by 2. i multiplied the equation on the right side by 3/2 assuming the maxima would be found between both minima.
 
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2Pac said:
Since the second minima is located where (\lambda) is multiplied by 2.

The question doesn't ask you about the second minima. It asks about the first minima.
 
No, the question asks about the first order maxima and it would not make sense for it to be asking about the center maxima because it is in the center. The intensity graph would look something like this (where the large hump is in the centerline of the slit):
 

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