Question

Now, select the Slits simulation at the bottom of the screen, and Light (red) for the type of wave, as before. Also, make sure there is a barrier with one slit, and use the tape measure as well as the slider bar below the slit to place it roughly 1290 nm away from the light source. Adjust the slit width to 300 nm. Finally, select the start button at the source location to begin producing the waves. Which statement best describes how the intensity of the wave depends on position along the screen? Selecting the Intensity checkbox will show a plot of the intensity on the screen. a)The intensity is large near the middle of the screen, then decreases to nearly zero, and then increases again as the distance from the middle of the screen increases. b)The intensity is a maximum near the middle of the screen (directly to the right of the source) and significantly decreases above and below the middle of the screen. c)The intensity is roughly constant.

Answer 1

The intensity of the wave is large near the middle of the screen, then decreases to nearly zero, and then increases again as the distance from the middle of the screen increases.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes how the intensity of the wave depends on position along the screen is option a) The intensity is large near the middle of the screen, then decreases to nearly zero, and then increases again as the distance from the middle of the screen increases.

When light passes through a single slit, it diffracts and creates an interference pattern on the screen. The intensity of the wave is highest at the centre, where the brightest fringe is observed. As the distance from the center increases, the intensity decreases, leading to dark fringes. However, beyond the dark fringes, the intensity starts increasing again due to secondary maxima.

Answer 2

The intensity distribution of monochromatic light in a single-slit diffraction pattern has a central maximum with intensity decreasing significantly as one moves away from the center due to wave interference and diffraction effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the intensity distribution observed when monochromatic light passes through a single slit and projects onto a screen. The single-slit diffraction pattern typically shows a central maximum where the intensity of light is the highest. As per the provided simulation setup with a slit width of 300 nm and light with a red wavelength (which we can infer is less than the width of the slit), the correct description of the intensity distribution would be that the intensity is a maximum near the middle of the screen (directly to the right of the source) and significantly decreases as one moves away from the center. This intensity distribution follows from the principles of wave interference and the diffraction of light, where constructive interference leads to the central maximum and destructive interference results in the minima on either side of the central peak.