Verla
PhysicsClassical Physics

What Is Diffraction? Find a Single-Slit Width and Minimum Angle

Using the far-field condition for single-slit minima, the slit width is 1.56 μm and the first dark minimum occurs at 20.7° from the central axis.

Question

Monochromatic visible light with wavelength 550 nm550\,\mathrm{nm} passes through a single slit. In the far-field diffraction pattern, the second minimum occurs at 45.0∘45.0^\circ from the incident direction.

  1. Find the slit width.
  2. Find the angle of the first minimum.

This question has been answered.

Explore the full answer and supporting references to better understand this question.

Verla BasicBest value

$19.99/month

  • Everything in Study Pass
  • Assignments with writing output
  • AI detection and humanizer
  • Basic quotas across every tool
Study Pass

$0.99/month

  • Entire question library
  • Knowledge guides and sources
  • Detailed answers and explanations
  • No AI tools or quotas

Evidence boundary

The result uses Fraunhofer single-slit diffraction for monochromatic light and interprets the stated ‘second minimum’ as order m = 2. It locates ideal dark minima; finite screen distance, imperfect coherence, slit-thickness effects, and intensity away from the minima are outside the calculation.