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Wave Optics

Question
CBSEENPH12038351

A parallel beam of light of wavelength 500 nm falls on a narrow slit and the resulting diffraction pattern is observed on a screen 1 m away. It is observed that the first minimum is at a distance of 2.5 mm from the centre of the screen. Find the width of the slit.

Solution

Given,
Distance of the screen from the slit, D = 1 m

Distance of the first minimum when the centre of screen, x = 2.5 mm = 2.5 × 10-3m
n=1 is the first minimum.

Wavelength of light, λ =500 nm = 500 × 10-9m                                                             = 5 × 10-7 m

Using formula,
                        x = nλDd

we have,           d = nλDx
                    d = 1 × 5 × 10-7 × 12.5 × 10-3    =2 × 10-4m    = 0.2 mm 

is the required width of the slit.