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Question:

In a single-slit diffraction experiment, the width of the slit is made double the original width. How does this affect the size and intensity of the central diffraction band?

Solution:

In a single slit experiment the width of central maximum is given by , β₀=2Dλ/d where D=distance of screen from slit , d=width of slit , λ=wavelength of light used , now if width of slit is doubled d'=2d then, β'₀=2Dλ/2d=β₀/2 size of central maximum will be halved . Now, intensity of central maximum is independent of slit-width, therefore it will not be affected