Single-Slit Diffraction (DP IB Physics: HL)

In two separate experiments, monochromatic light is incident on a single slit. The diagrams show the interference patterns obtained on a screen far from the slit. In diagram 1, the wavelength of light is λ₁ and the slit width is b₁. In diagram 2, the wavelength of light is λ₂ and the slit width is b₂.

What is the correct expression linking wavelength and slit width of the two interference patterns?

Which of the statements are true for single-slit interference? 

1. Blue light produces a larger angle of diffraction than red light
2. The smaller the slit width, the larger the angle of diffraction for a constant wavelength 

Several diffraction experiments are performed with light diffracted through different numbers of slits. Which row. in the table below, correctly matches the number of slits and the intensity pattern observed on the screen?

Monochromatic light is incident on a narrow rectangular slit in an optical experiment. The diffracted light is observed on a distant screen. The graph below shows how the intensity of light varies with position on the screen.

The width of the slit is increased. The original diffraction pattern is shown by the solid line.

Which graph shows how the intensity of light observed varies with position on the screen? 

The diagram shows the diffraction pattern for light travelling through a single slit of width 2.0 mm. 

What is the wavelength of the light used?

White light is diffracted through a single slit.

Which row in the table indicates the correct positions of red (R), violet (V) and white (W) light on the intensity pattern seen on a screen?  

A single slit diffraction pattern is performed several times using light of different colours, slits of different widths and different distances to the screen. Which change will decrease the width of the central peak?

A parallel beam of coherent light of wavelength λ is incident on a rectangular slit of width b. After passing through the slit the light is incident on a screen a distance D from the slit where D is much greater than b.  

What is the width of the central maximum of the diffraction pattern as measured on the screen? 

In a diffraction experiment with a single slit, the first minimum is observed at a diffraction angle θ. The intensity of the central maximum of the diffraction pattern is I. The light source stays the same. What is the effect on I and θ of reducing the slit width?

A single slit produces a diffraction pattern. The angle from the centre of the pattern to the first minimum point is Y. The slit width is then halved and the frequency of light is doubled. 

What is the new angle from the centre of the pattern to the first minimum point?

The diffraction pattern for light passing through a single slit is shown on the graph below.  

What is the ?

Monochromatic light is incident on two slits that are identical. An interference pattern is produced on a screen some distance away. Upon returning to the experiment a Physicist notices that there are fewer maxima now present on the screen.

What aspect of the equipment set up has been changed?

When monochromatic light is incident on a single slit a diffraction pattern forms on a screen. The width of the slit is increased. 

What are the changes in the width of the central and subsidiary maxima and in the intensity of the central and subsidiary maxima of the single slit diffraction pattern?

A beam of photons moving in the direction shown is incident on a rectangular slit of width, b. The angle produced at X by the interference pattern of the photons diffracting through the slit is θ. 

What is the component of the energy of the photons at point X on the screen?

A beam of light of wavelength λ is incident upon a single slit of width w. After passing through the slit, the light is incident on a screen at a distance Q from the slit. 

Which of the following changes, carried out separately, will result in an increased width of the central maxima observed on the screen?

A parallel beam of coherent light of wavelength p nm is incident on a rectangular slit of width p µm. After passing through the slit the light is incident on a screen a distance p m away. 

What is the width of the central maximum of the diffraction pattern as measured on the screen?

A parallel beam of light of wavelength 400 nm is incident normally on a slit of width b. The distance between the slit and the screen is 0.2 m and the distance of the second order of maximum from the centre of the screen is 10 mm. 

What is the width of the slit?

A parallel beam of light of wavelength λ passes through a slit of width b. The transmitted light is collected on a screen D m away where D ≫ b.

What is the distance between the two second-order minima?

Radiation is incident on a single rectangular slit. The diffracted beam that emerges from the slit is incident on a screen. Both the slit width and the wavelength of the radiation are tripled. The intensity of the radiation remains the same. 

Which answer option correctly describes the total number of photons incident every second on the screen and the angular width of the central maximum of the diffracted beam?

A monochromatic source of light of wavelength λ is incident on a single slit of width b. The interference pattern is visible on the screen where the angle of the third minima is θ.

What is the wavelength of the light?