Question:medium

In a single-slit diffraction experiment, light of wavelength $\lambda$ illuminates the slit of width 'a'. The diffraction pattern is observed on a screen kept at a distance $D$ from the slits.

(i) Depict variation of intensity in the fringe pattern with the angular position of the fringes.

(ii) How is the linear width of central maximum affected when separation between the slit and the screen is decreased ?

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For single-slit diffraction, \[ W=\frac{2D\lambda}{a} \] Increase \(D\) or \(\lambda\) to obtain a wider central maximum.
Updated On: Oct 21, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Set up the geometry:
A parallel beam of wavelength $\lambda$ passes through a slit of width $a$. The screen is at distance $D$.
Waves from the two edges of the slit have a path difference $a\sin\theta$ in direction $\theta$.
Dark fringes need $a\sin\theta = n\lambda$.
For small angles $\sin\theta \approx \theta$, so the minima are at $\theta_n = \dfrac{n\lambda}{a}$.

Step 2: Part (i), describe the intensity curve:
Draw the axes with $\theta$ along the horizontal line and $I$ upward.
At $\theta = 0$ all wavelets are in phase, so the curve peaks at the maximum value $I_0$.
The intensity is given by $I = I_0\left(\dfrac{\sin\beta}{\beta}\right)^2$ with $\beta = \dfrac{\pi a\sin\theta}{\lambda}$.
It becomes zero at $\beta = \pm\pi, \pm 2\pi, \ldots$, that is at $\theta = \pm\dfrac{\lambda}{a}, \pm\dfrac{2\lambda}{a}, \ldots$
Between two successive zeros there is a small secondary maximum. Its height falls quickly: about $4.5\%$ of $I_0$, then $1.6\%$, and so on.
So the sketch is a bell-shaped central hump, flanked on both sides by much lower and narrower humps.

Step 3: Part (ii), find the linear width:
The first dark fringe is at $x_1 = D\tan\theta_1 \approx \dfrac{D\lambda}{a}$ from the centre.
The central bright fringe extends from $-x_1$ to $+x_1$.
Hence $W = 2x_1 = \dfrac{2D\lambda}{a}$.

Step 4: Use proportionality:
Take the ratio of the new width to the old width: $\dfrac{W_2}{W_1} = \dfrac{D_2}{D_1}$, where the subscript 2 marks the new values.
If $D_2 < D_1$, then the width decreases in the same ratio.
So the central maximum becomes narrower on the screen. The angular spread stays at $\dfrac{2\lambda}{a}$.

Final Answer:
The intensity pattern has a broad central maximum with weak symmetric side maxima. The linear width $W = \dfrac{2D\lambda}{a}$ decreases when the slit-to-screen separation $D$ is decreased.
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