Final answer:
The intensity of a single slit diffraction pattern is highest at the central maximum and decreases as one moves away from it. This pattern shows a bright central maximum with dimmer and thinner maxima on either side, distinguishing it from patterns created by diffraction gratings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question about the intensity of the images in a single slit diffraction pattern is: The intensity is highest at the central maximum and decreases as you move away from it. This phenomenon can be observed in figures like Figure 27.21 and Figure 17.11 which illustrate a monochromatic light passing through a single slit and forming a diffraction pattern. In these patterns, the central maximum appears much brighter and more intense than the smaller, dimmer maxima on either side. The intensity of these side maxima decreases rapidly as we move away from the central peak. Moreover, the central maximum is depicted as being much wider compared to the other maxima, adding to the observable difference in intensity. It's key to note, in comparison, diffraction gratings produce evenly spaced lines that dim more slowly on either side, making the pattern distinct from single-slit diffraction patterns.