119k views
0 votes
a single slit is the simplest means to produce an interference pattern from light waves. how does the pattern of light and dark bands change as the slit gets wider?

User Bone
by
8.2k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

One must consider the phase difference between each side of the slit:

One can write Δ = W sin θ where Δ is the phase difference between light leaving opposite sides of the slit, W = slit width, and θ is the angle of difraction

As the slit gets wider (W increases) and for a given phase difference the angle of difraction will decrease

The bands on the screen will be closer for a wider slit

User Gerosalesc
by
8.7k points