What is the Width of a Single Slit in Diffraction?

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Diffraction involves the bending of light around an aperture, with the resolution of distinct images dependent on the Rayleigh criterion. To observe diffraction, the slit width (w) must be comparable to the wavelength (λ) of light. The equation w*sinθ = nλ indicates that for the first maximum to appear at 30 degrees, the slit width must equal 2λ. Additionally, longer wavelengths spread out more than shorter ones, resulting in overlapping at certain angles where different wavelengths coincide. Understanding these principles is crucial for analyzing diffraction patterns in optics.
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Homework Statement



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Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Part(a)
Diffraction is the bending of light about an aperture. To be able to resolve two distinct images, the minimum angle must satisfy the rayleigh criterion. Any angle smaller will hence affect the quality of images.

(b) Proven by integration.

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(c) For observable diffraction, firstly w must be in the same order of magnitude as λ. Secondly, using w*sinθ = nλ, in order to get the first maxima to be 30o, w must be 2λ etc...

(d) since w*sinθ = nλ, the higher wavelengths of light get spread out more than the lower wavelengths. But the central maxima will be a combination of all colors. At certain angles some wavelengths of light overlap where niλi = njλj, i≠j.
 
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