Question

State the characteristics of a single slit diffraction pattern.

Answer 1

1. The image formed by a single slit deviates from the anticipated purely geometrical representation.
2. For a fixed wavelength, the breadth of the diffraction pattern varies inversely with the slit width.
3. With a constant slit width 'a,' the breadth of the diffraction pattern is directly proportional to the wavelength.
4. The intensities of the non-central, i.e., secondary, maxima are significantly lower than the intensity of the central maximum.
5. Both the minima and the non-central maxima share the same width, represented as Dλ/a.
6. The breadth of the central maximum is 2Dλ/a, double the width of the non-central maxima or minima.