A student records the intensity distribution produced on a screen 1.20 m from an…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Waves Sound and Physical Optics · Waves Sound and Physical Optics
Problem
A student records the intensity distribution produced on a screen 1.20 m from an unknown aperture illuminated by a 500 nm laser. The first minimum on either side of the central maximum occurs 8.0 mm from the center. Within that distance, four secondary bright maxima are observed, each separated from the next by 1.6 mm.
(1) Assuming the first minimum is due to single-slit diffraction, determine the width of the slit that would give the observed position of the first minimum.
(2) Using the measured spacing between adjacent secondary bright maxima, determine the separation between two slits that would produce such spacing if the aperture were a double-slit.
(3) Compare the slit width found in part (a) to the slit separation found in part (b). Discuss whether the ratio of these two quantities is consistent with a typical double-slit experiment in which both slits are fully open.
(4) Based on your analysis, state whether the observed pattern is more consistent with a single-slit or a double-slit arrangement and justify your conclusion.