- #1
Seigi Yokota
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Homework Statement
A single slit diffracts laser light of wavelength 650 nm onto a screen 2.00 m away. The distance between the two first-order maxima on either side of the central peak is 2.05 mm. How wide is the slit?
Homework Equations
a=width of slit
y=distance from central max to specific spot
L=distance of screen from the slit
λ=wavelength of light
sinΘ≈Θ=y/L
minima occurs at: a*sinΘ=mλ
(found on internet) approximation of maxima occurs at: a*sinΘ=(m+.5)λ
The Attempt at a Solution
L=2m
λ=650*10^-9m
each maxima is the same distance from the central maxima so if the distance between the 2 first order maxima is .00205m then
y=.001025m
a*(.001025/2)=(1.5)(650*10^-9)
I found answer to be 0.001902m (wrong)
just in case I decided to try and see using the minima formula a*(.001025/2)=(650*10^-9)
answer :0.001268m (wrong)
any assistance would be great.