Diffraction by One Slit
Part of the Optics, Waves and Modern Physics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 31 of 53.
One slit spreads light: diffraction.
Dark where
a sin θ = nλ
with n = 1, 2, ...
The central maximum is twice as wide. A narrower slit spreads more.
Challenge
Green light of wavelength 530 nm passes a slit 0.1 mm wide. At what angle θ is the first dark fringe?
Try it yourself
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Optics, Waves and Modern Physics
1Reflection and Refraction
Reflection of LightThe Refractive IndexSnell's LawTotal Internal ReflectionDispersionApparent DepthRecap - Optical Fiber4Mechanical Waves
What a Wave IsTwo Graphs of a WaveWhen Pulses MeetInterferenceStanding WavesHarmonicsRecap - Guitar String3Thin Lenses
Lenses and Their RaysThe Lens EquationVirtual ImagesTwo LensesA Lens and a MirrorRecap - Build a Projector6Light as a Wave
Light Through Two SlitsFringes on a ScreenDiffraction by One SlitThe Diffraction GratingRecap - Measure with a CD