A helium-neon laser (with light wavelength 633 nm) shines through a single slit of width 8.0 × 10-6 m onto a screen. What is the maximum possible number of minima visible on the screen?
To determine the maximum possible number of minima visible on the screen, we can use the formula for the number of minima from a single slit diffraction pattern:
n = (2 * L * sin(theta))/λ
Where:
- n is the number of minima
- L is the distance between the slit and the screen
- theta is the angle at which the first minimum occurs (which is given by theta = λ/W, where W is the width of the slit)
- λ is the wavelength of light
In this case, we are given the wavelength (633 nm) and the width of the slit (8.0 × 10^-6 m). We need to find the maximum number of minima, so we assume L is large enough that sin(theta) ≈ 0. Thus, sin(theta) ≈ λ/W.
Substituting these values into the formula, we have:
n = (2 * L * (λ/W))/λ
The wavelength cancels out, leaving us with:
n = (2 * L)/W
Now we can substitute the given values into the formula and calculate the maximum possible number of minima visible on the screen.