Answer to Question #298894 in Optics for Chemistry

Question

Light of wavelength and frequency f passes through a single slit of width a. The diffraction

pattern is observed on a screen a distance x from the slit. Which of the following will decrease the width of the central maximum? (a) Decrease the slit width; (b) decrease the frequency f of the light; (c) decrease the wavelength l of the light; (d) decrease the distance x of the screen from the slit. In each case, justify your answer.

Answer 1

(a) Decrease the slit width.

(d) decrease the distance x of the screen from the slit.