Question

Does the distance between diffraction minima increase or decrease when the slit width is increased? Explain with reference to your data (observation) and theory

Answer 1

the width of the slit is dividing therefore the distance to the minimums increases as the width of the slit decreases

Step-by-step explanation:

In the diffraction phenomenon the intensity minima are described by

a sin θ = (m + ½) λ

without using trigonometry we can find an expression for the sine

tan θ = y / L

for small angles

Tan θ = sin θ/ cos θ = sin θ = y / L

a y / L = (m + ½) lam

y = (m + ½) λ L / a

we see that the width of the slit is dividing therefore the distance to the minimums increases as the width of the slit decreases

In the observation of the experiment the length of the pattern increases with the decrease in the width of the slit