Chapter 17.5- single slit diffraction

Question 1

What are secondary maxima

Answer 1

They’re weaker than the central maxima. The central maxima is much broader and brighter than the secondary maxima

Question 2

What is a single slit diffraction

Answer 2

Diffraction through a tall, narrow slit of width, a

Question 3

What are the two parts of Huygens’ Principle

Answer 3

1. Each point on a wave front is the source of a spherical wavelet that spreads out at the wave speed
2. At a later time, the shape of the wave front is the curve that is tangent to all the wavelets

Question 4

The curve tangent to the wavelets of a plane wave is what?

Answer 4

A plane that has propagated to the right

Question 5

The curve tangent to the wavelets of a spherical wave is what?

Answer 5

A larger sphere

Question 6

The paths of several wavelets as they travel straight ahead to a central point on the screen are what? And what type of interference occurs here?

Answer 6

Nearly parallel, and so they are in phase.

Constructive interference occurs, creating the central maximum of the diffraction pattern at theta = 0

Question 7

At points away from the center of the screen what occurs?

Answer 7

Interference

Question 8

If theta r 12 is lambda / 2 then the wavelengths are?

Answer 8

Out of phase and interfere destructively

Question 9

If delta r 12 is lambda / 2, then…

Answer 9

So are 34 and 56, so perfect destructive interference occurs

Question 10

Every point on the wave front can be paired with?

Answer 10

Another point that is a / 2 away

Question 11

Why is p = 0 excluded from equation 17.18?

Answer 11

Because at zero it is the central maximum. The equation for all other p’s locates the minima

Question 12

What has the highest intensity

Answer 12

The bright central maxima at theta = 0

Question 13

The smaller the opening of a wave squeezes through….?

Answer 13

The more it spreads out on the other side